J&K govt approves enhancement of CDF funds for legislators

Jammu and Kashmir government today approved enhancement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for legislators from Rs 1.50 crore to Rs 3 crore from the current financial year.
According to an order issued by the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, the guidelines for spending CDF have also been modified to incorporate various other social and developmental activities under the scheme.
As per the new guidelines, a legislator can now utilise upto Rs 20 lakh as medical assistance, with a ceiling of Rs 10 lakh per patient, out of CDF for providing assistance to BPL patients for treatment of liver or kidney transplant, bone marrow and heart transplant, blindness and other dangerous diseases.

This could also supplement Red Cross or other NGO assistance.
In power infrastructure, up to Rs 1 crore that is up to 33.33 per cent of the total entitlement of the CDF could be used for strengthening of power infrastructure in the constituency.
However, for creation or augmentation of sub stations or distribution, the amount shall not exceed Rs 30 lakh and shall be further subject to the conditions already spelt out by the government in January, the order said.

For upgradation of houses, it said the past liabilities accrued on account of financial assistance provided for up- gradation of houses to the BPL families on IAY pattern can be cleared during the current financial year.

From the next financial year (2018-19), an amount up to Rs 20 lakh could be channelised out of CDF, for providing assistance to tribal and BPL population for upgradation of housing units on rolling basis.
"The funds will flow to the beneficiaries on the analogy of IAY and will be governed by the laid down provisions regarding physical verification and scrutiny. No liabilities will be allowed to be created within the tenure of the legislator," the order said.
Upto Rs 20 lakh could be utilised out of CDF as flexi- fund for contributing towards implementation of flagship schemes like Swachch Bharat Scheme and Development of High Density Plantation under horticulture sector, it said.