Parliament approves Rs 1.42 lakh crore budget for JK
New Delhi: Parliament on Wednesday approved the Rs 1.42-lakh-crore budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2022-23, with Rajya Sabha returning the relevant bills to the Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had passed the bills on March 14.
The upper House returned the bills — The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2022, and The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2022.
Replying to the discussion, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Central government has been creating an environment for the restoration of normalcy and to attract investment in J&K.
She said that 24 Members participated in the debate and informed the House that the government is removing barriers to industrial development in the Union Territory and in this connection, 250 laws have been completely repealed, while 137 laws have been amended.
Responding to the query of Congress lawmaker Vivek Tankha who had raised concerns on Tuesday that Kashmiri art and artisans are about to vanish without adequate support, the Finance Minister said, “A new industrial policy, investment proposals will create employment in Jammu and Kashmir. Pashmina shawls, carpet weaving from J&K have been given Geographical Indication (GI) recognition and ample steps have been taken to promote Kashmiri art and artisans.” (with inputs from PTI)
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