Omar Abdullah Calls for Strong Industry Package in Budget to Tackle Unemployment

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made a strong pitch for a fresh industrial package for Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming Union Budget , stressing that unemployment in the Union Territory cannot be solved through government jobs alone and requires faster private-sector growth . Speaking at a Startup Mela hosted by the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) in Samba, he highlighted the importance of startups , seed funding , and stronger incubator support to build a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem that can generate long-term employment. He also pointed to the need for a central incentives scheme to be strengthened so that existing industrial policies translate into visible investments and job creation on the ground.

The demand gains urgency amid concerns over limited local opportunities and recent incidents affecting traders outside the region, reinforcing the push to create more local livelihoods within J&K. Policy focus is likely to include GST-linked incentives , capital grants , and interest subvention to revive viable units and attract new industries, alongside better infrastructure , faster single-window clearance , and expanded financial support through JKEDI. Together, these steps aim to reduce red tape, restore investor confidence, and build a more resilient and innovation-driven economy over the next few years.