SRINAGAR: After the formation of the local government in Jammu and Kashmir, newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are yet to be allotted Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
Several MLAs said that they have not yet received the funds meant for developmental purposes in their constituencies and expressed hope that the allocation will happen soon.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra mentioned that he was already in the process of identifying the works needed in his constituency, but these projects are getting delayed as the CDF is yet to be released.
“I believe the process should be expedited as early as possible so that developmental works can begin at the earliest,” he said.
National Conference MLA from Hazratbal, Salman Sagar, also raised concerns over the delay in the release of CDF for newly elected representatives, stating that it is affecting vital developmental projects across the region.
He emphasised the urgent need for bureaucratic processes to align with local governance and allocate necessary funds so that elected representatives can start their work. “People’s expectations are high, and CDF is our primary resource to meet their needs,” he said.
Sagar noted that previously, MLAs would receive Rs 3 crore annually as CDF, disbursed in three installments, but with rising costs, the allocation should now be higher.
BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania stated that these funds are crucial for enabling MLAs to address immediate developmental needs within their constituencies, such as relief measures, healthcare support, social welfare pensions, and school facilities.
In the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, each MLA was allotted Rs 3 crore annually in three installments. However, with the region being downgraded to a Union Territory and a local government in place for the first time since August 5, 2019, the allocation of funds under CDF remains unclear. (KNO)
