Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 31: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today informed the Legislative Assembly that funds under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Scheme are being utilized across all Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir for works identified and recommended by respective MLAs, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Finance Department.
The Chief Minister was responding to a Calling Attention Motion moved by MLA Habba Kadal Shamim Firdous during the ongoing Budget Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
He said that the Government has amended the CDF guidelines to expand the scope of assistance. As per the revised provisions, MLAs can now allocate up to ₹50 lakh from their CDF for providing housing assistance, including reconstruction and repair of houses for families
affected by calamities, for the FY 2026–27.
The Chief Minister further informed that the assistance to an individual family is capped at ₹1 lakh, and importantly, the benefit is not restricted to tribal or BPL families but is available to all affected families.
Clarifying the scope of the term “calamity” in the amended guidelines, he stated that it includes all events causing significant damage or harm, including fire incidents.
Referring to District Srinagar, the Chief Minister said that 24 cases were received from MLA Habba Kadal for providing assistance to fire victims under the CDF Scheme, involving an estimated cost of ₹12.80 lakh. Of these, five cases have already been cleared for additional assistance after completing all required formalities.
He added that the remaining 19 cases are under examination and assessment in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, and assured that all eligible cases recommended by the MLA will be processed in accordance with the prescribed norms. |
