MLAs' funds for Kashmir relief okayed - but not before LG hiccup

Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Friday finally acceded to an AAP request for releasing MLALAD funds for providing relief to flood-hit victims of Jammu and Kashmir -- but not before initial reluctance which was ultimately overcome after umpteen files had been consulted, administration sources revealed.

A week ago on Sep 12, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had approached Jung to sanction the release of Rs.20 lakh from the MLA local area development fund of each of its 27 legislators so that it could be sent to flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir for helping the affected people there.

According to reliable sources in the Delhi government, AAP's request led to a flurry of activity in the Delhi Secretariat with exchange of notes and files.

Documents seen by IANS reveal that Jung was initially not inclined to approve such a proposal but when confronted by the urban development department rules pertaining to such financial requisition, he finally capitulated.

The urban development department regulates the release of MLALAD fund and lays down the procedure for its sanction and release.

The relevant provision stipulates that "funds up to the limit of Rs.35 lakh per MLA per year shall be released on the request of the concerned MLAs for providing relief to victims of national disaster/calamity declared by the government and shall be credited into the lieutenant governor/chief minister's relief fund."

The Jammu and Kashmir floods have been declared as national disaster/calamity by the government.

After AAP's request to the Lt Governor, Congress legislators in Delhi, numbering eight, also followed suit and announced giving a like amount from their MLALAD fund for the J&K flood victims.

Significantly last year, Delhi took a decision to contribute Rs.10 lakh per MLA from the MLA fund to the Chief Minister's relief fund for helping victims in the Uttarakhand landslides.

Late Friday, a Raj Bhawan release announced that Jung had directed that the urban development department inform all MLAs that they could contribute to the LG/CM relief fund for the victims of the J&K calamity.