J&K Chief Minister Seeks Central Support in Meeting With Sitharaman as Fiscal Strain Deepens

Overview

• Omar Abdullah met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on November 20.
• There was no official readout of the discussion from either side.
• Sources said the meeting focused on urgent central assistance to bridge a revenue gap.
• UT officials cited a sharp decline in Jammu and Kashmir’s share of GST as a principal factor in the shortfall.
• Officials also pointed to a tourism slump after the Pahalgam terror attack and recent flood damage that increased relief and reconstruction costs.