JAMMU, Jan. 21 -- For the second consecutive day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today held 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.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, chaired extensive deliberations with the departments of Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education, Public Works (Roads & Buildings), Mining, Industries & Commerce and Labour.

The meetings were attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Minister for Health & Medical Education, Social Welfare, School...