The budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to commence on February 2, 2026, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced. The session has been called nearly a month in advance, a move officials say is in consideration of the upcoming holy month of Ramzan.
Session to be Held in Two Phases Around Ramzan
According to official sources, the session is likely to be conducted in two distinct parts. The first segment will begin with the Lieutenant Governor's address on February 2 and will continue until the commencement of Ramzan. The holy month is anticipated to start around February 18 or 19, subject to the sighting of the moon.
The second part of the Assembly session is expected to resume after Eid-ul-Fitr, which is tentatively projected to fall on March 21, again dependent on the lunar sighting. This bifurcated schedule is seen as a significant accommodation for the religious observances of lawmakers during the fasting period.
Omar Abdullah's Pledge and Procedural Deadlines
The decision to adjust the session timing is also linked to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's experience last year. Holding the finance portfolio, Abdullah presented his maiden budget on March 7 last year, which was the sixth day of Ramzan. His address to the House lasted nearly one hour and forty-five minutes.
Following that experience, Abdullah had expressed a firm intention not to repeat the exercise during the fasting month. He stated, "After today’s experience, I will never present my budget again while on Ramzan fast. Either I will advance or postpone the session, or request the Speaker with folded hands to arrange the session around 6.30 pm after breaking the day-long fast."
The exact date for the budget presentation this year will be finalized after Assembly Speaker A R Rather issues the official calendar for the session. This will be the second budget presented by Omar Abdullah for the Union Territory in his capacity as Finance Minister.
MLAs Directed to Submit Questions and Bills
In preparation for the session, Assembly Secretary Manoj Kumar Pandit has notified all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of the Lieutenant Governor's order. MLAs have been asked to submit their questions and proposals within strict deadlines:
- Not more than ten starred and unstarred questions each must be submitted by January 12.
- Each MLA can submit up to two private members' Bills by January 15.
- Resolutions, up to four per member, must be submitted by January 17.
The session will begin with the Lieutenant Governor's address at 10 am in the Legislative Assembly Complex on February 2, marking the start of the Union Territory's crucial financial deliberations for the year.
