JAMMU, June 25: Linking of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of the MLAs to the tune of Rs 3 crore annually with District Capex Budget by the Government has caused unrest among the legislators cutting across their party affiliations as they are of the view that the CDF is meant for emergency nature of works throughout the year and if it is made part of the plan it will be exhausted within few days rendering them “without any funds” for rest of the year.
On the basis of Finance Department’s order, the Deputy Commissioners of almost all districts have asked MLAs of their districts to identify works under Rs 3 crore worth CDF for making them part of District Capex Budget causing unrest among majority of the MLAs. A number of legislators have refused to follow the directive and have taken up the issue with the Government for restoring CDF as it used to be in the previous Assembly and at par with Members Parliament Local Area Development Schemes (MPLADS).
Justice (Retired) Hasnain Masoodi, Ruling National Conference MLA and former Lok Sabha member, when approached by the Excelsior, said the CDF is essentially meant for the works an MLA identifies when he visits areas of his constituency and people approach him.
“What we will do when we visit an areas because we will be left with no funds for urgent work once CDF is made part of District Capex Budget,” Masoodi said but expressed confidence that the Government will reconsider and issue necessary directions. He said MPLAD is carried forward if it is not fully utilized in a year. “By no means, the CDF fits in the district plan”.
PCC (I) chief and MLA Tariq Hamid Karra too echoed the similar views.
“This has never happened. The CDF is discretion of MLA for carrying out works of emergency nature like Rs 1 lakh or Rs 5 lakh. Now, this has been made part of District Capex and the DCs are asking for identification of works in advance, thus, defeating the very purpose of CDF,” Karra said.
Asserting that this is not acceptable, the PCC “intrusion on MLAs’ authority” and disempowering the elected representatives. He said if this approach has to be followed it is better that they take away the CDF.
BJP MLA from Udhampur West Pawan Gupta has shot off a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying the CDF should be placed at the disposal of legislators to address contingencies, calamities and support for individuals facing liabilities, the provisions of which are well covered under MPLAD Scheme.
“Prioritization of development works can’t be pre-determined in one go, as it required continuous assessment of public needs on an individual basis,” Gupta, former Minister of State for Finance, said and sought the CM’s direction to the Finance Department to withdraw order on treating CDP as part of Capex budget.
CPM’s five-time MLA from Kulgam MY Tarigami said an attempt is being made by the administration to further reduce whatever powers the MLAs have instead of strengthening and empowering them.
“This is the question of institutions. Though CDF is not personal fund of the MLA, definitely it is his discretion on how he/she uses it. First time it has been made part of Capex budget. If it has to be part of the plan, why it is being called CDF”? Tarigami asked.
BJP MLA from Jasrota (Kathua) Rajiv Jasrotia said they have refused to submit works under the CDF for District Capex as the fund can never be part of the district plan.
“The MLAs use discretionary funds for small development works on people’s demand in their constituencies or for helping the patients and people in need when their houses get damaged. If we have to identify all works within first few weeks, what will we do rest of the year. This is not done,” Jasrotia, a former Minister said.
BJP MLA from Udhampur East RS Pathania said the legislators are being deprived of their legitimate right to CDF by making it a part of district plan.
“First, we have been denied the CDF for nearly six months from October 9, 2024 to March 31, 2025. We were assured of increase in the CDF but it remains Rs 3 crore annually which was in 2018 as well. And, now it has been made part of district plan. The MLAs won’t be able to take up any works of emergency nature or help the people in need,” Pathania said.
