Jammu, Jan. 22 -- Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah (CM) chaired a pre-budget consultations with several key departments to assess priorities, sectoral needs and development imperatives for the upcoming budget session of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, scheduled to begin on February 2, for the second consecutive day. The CM, who also holds the portfolio of finance minister, chaired extensive deliberations with the departments of social welfare, health and medical education, school education, higher education, public works (roads and buildings), mining, industries and commerce and labour. The meetings were attended by deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary and minister for health and medical education, social welfare, school education and higher education Sakina Itoo. The consultative meetings were also attended by chief secretary Atal Dulloo, additional chief secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, additional chief secretary PWD Anil Kumar Singh, principal secretary of finance Santosh D. Vaidya; administrative secretaries of social welfare, health and medical education, school education, higher education, public works (roads and buildings), mining, industries and commerce and labour, besides senior officers of the finance department and other concerned officials. During the meetings, Omar reviewed sector-wise progress, ongoing projects, budget utilisation and future requirements. He emphasised the need for realistic and outcome-oriented budgeting, ensuring that public funds are directed towards priority sectors that directly impact the lives of the people. He stressed that departments must ensure timely completion of projects, transparency in execution and efficient service delivery. "The budget should reflect the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and must focus on inclusive growth, balanced regional development and sustainable economic progress," the CM said....