WAJAHAT SHABIR | The News Now
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued fresh guidelines for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) scheme, allowing each Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to recommend development works worth ₹3 crore annually in their respective constituencies.
The funds can be utilized for infrastructure development, public welfare projects, and essential services, with a clear directive to ensure the timely completion of works within the prescribed period.
A detailed circular in this regard has been issued by the Finance Department.
Under this scheme, each MLA will have the choice to suggest to the District Commissioner (DDC) works to the tune of Rs 300.00 lakhs per year, to be taken up in his/her constituency. Nominated members of legislative Assembly may also select works for implementation in any part of the UT.
The funds will not be used for incurring revenue expenditure or for creating posts of paying salaries.
Only those works should be taken up which can be completed within a span of one year. In areas of higher reaches where working season is limited, the DDC, subject to the approval of the concerned MLA, may also sanction work that can be completed within two working seasons, but not exceeding two years.
It would be desirable for the MLA to suggest costing not more individual works higher than Rs. 10 than Rs. 10.00 (ten lakh) per work. Works necessitating Rs 10 lakh per work can be taken in specific cases such as investments, provided within the work is completed the prescribed time limit.
The Implementing Agencies, such as PWD, Rural Development, executing Irrigation, Agriculture, Health, Education, Jal Shakti, etc, while the works shall follow process and the established work scrutiny procedure of the UT Government.
Where the the DOC feels that a certain work cannot be executed, / she shall send a comprehensive report with the reasons MLA is concerned.
The fund allocation of CDF scheme is Rs. 300.00 lakhs per year for each MLA. In case of a change constituency, in the MLA representing a the continuity of action in implementing works under coordinating the scheme should be maintained.
The DDC should play a role between the past and the present MLAs and the implementing agencies so that the continuity works is maintained and should are undertaken within the final ceiling. In such cases, it is ensured that works execution, identified by the predecessor MLA and under should be completed. Works identified by the MLA up to last day of his/her tenure to be executed; irrespective of accord of AA provided works they are permissible and funds are available.
It shall be obligatory for the MLA to utilize at least 80% of funds in a particular financial year. In case, the expenditure is less in the prescribed withheld till such time limit; releases of subsequent years shall be the time the basic limit is achieved.
No final payments shall be released satisfactory in respect of works till verification reports are received or till successful completion of defect liability period (DLP) wherever applicable.
List of works that can be taken underthe constituency development fund scheme includes Construction/ up-gradation of buildings Government for Government and aided schools, hostels, libraries/reading rooms/ laboratories and sanitation facilities, provided existence the Institutions are in for not less than two years, computers for Higher Secondary /High Schools.
Construction and up-gradation of roads, approach roads, link roads, etc. costing Upto Rs.15.00 lakhs (Rupees be fifteen constructed lakhs) in villages and towns. Selectively Kachha roads can also where the MLA concerned agrees to meet the locally felt need.
Work under the scheme includes construction of irrigations and drainage facilities, construction of water table recharging facilities up to Rs.20.00 7 lacs (Rupees Twenty lakhs).
Power Infrastructure: Up to Rs. 50.00 lacs for strengthening of Power Development Infrastructure. For creation/ augmentation of sub stations/ distribution, the amount shall not exceed Rs. 15.00 lacs and shall be further subject to the following conditions.
Up-gradation of Houses: An amount up to Rs. 20.00 lacs could be channelized out of the CDF, for providing assistance to the tribal/ BPL population for up-gradation of housing units on rolling basis. The funds will flow to the beneficiaries on the analogy of PMAY and will be governed by the laid down provisions regarding physical verification and scrutiny.
List of works not permissible under constituency development fund (cdf) scheme includes Office building, residential building and other buildings relating to Central or State Government Departments, Agencies or Organisations or Private Individuals.
The CDF funds can be used for repair and renovation of immovable assets subject to the condition that the MLA can recommend funds only up to Rs. 25 lakhs per year for all such repairs and renovations put together, provided that renovation of the asset can be taken up only after a reasonable gap of time since its original construction or last repair.
List of work are not permissible for emorials or memorial building, creation of posts and payment of salaries or any other kind revenue expenditure and place of worship.
