SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday announced significant reforms to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) scheme, granting legislators greater authority over local development and removing several financial restrictions that had limited spending under the programme.
Addressing the Assembly, Omar said the government had been reviewing the scheme for two months and had now approved amendments designed to “give elected representatives greater flexibility to address local needs.”
“We can bring some changes to this. We want to inform the House about the changes that have been approved by the government,” he told legislators.
The Chief Minister said the ceiling on expenditure under the Power Development Infrastructure category has been withdrawn, allowing MLAs to recommend works without an upper limit. The earlier ceiling was Rs 30 lakh. The Rs 10 lakh cap on solar light installation has also been removed.
Under the Public Health Engineering (PHE) sector, MLAs can now propose the purchase of mobile water tankers and individual household connectivity projects. In the education sector, the purchase of school vans and buses, both three- and four-wheelers, has been made permissible.
In the health sector, the revised guidelines permit the purchase of wheelchairs, tricycles, and both manual and motorised scooters.
Referring to the recent floods that devastated parts of the region, Omar announced a one-time relaxation allowing MLAs to utilise up to Rs 50 lakh from their CDF allocation for rehabilitation of calamity-affected families. The provision will apply to the current financial year and 2026–27.
MLAs from non-affected constituencies will be allowed to recommend works worth up to Rs 10 lakh in disaster-hit areas or contribute to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund with specific directions for utilisation in affected regions.
The Chief Minister also announced the removal of the rule requiring MLAs to spend 80 per cent of their annual CDF allocation within a financial year. “We have removed this provision. Now, we have not kept this 80 per cent requirement for MLAs,” he said.
While the CDF framework continues to align with the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), Omar said the revised guidelines introduce additional flexibility. Temporary sheds for people affected by natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, and droughts will now be permitted under the CDF.
Grants of up to Rs 3 lakh will be available for old-age homes, shelters, and orphanages for purchasing bedding, utensils, books, and uniforms. Youth clubs and sports bodies can also receive similar grants for procuring sports equipment through government channels.
Omar further announced that up to Rs 20 lakh from the CDF can now be used to assist economically weaker sections, including drivers and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, in upgrading their housing units. The scheme will follow the model of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and will be subject to verification.
“These reforms are meant to make the CDF more responsive to the needs of the people and to empower MLAs to deliver targeted support where it is most required,” the Chief Minister said.
The revised CDF guidelines will come into effect immediately after formal notification by the government.
