J&K MLAs yet to receive Constituency Development Funds 

By: Waris Fayaz

Srinagar: Members of Legislative Assembly in Jammu & Kashmir are up in arms over inordinate delay in release of constituency development fund (CDF) by J&K government.

Cutting across party lines, the legislators of the Union Territory are fretting over the government’s lethargic attitude in releasing CDF. “The government has not released a single penny under CDF scheme till date even as two months have passed after the budget was approved, “Mir Muhammad Fayaz, MLA Kupwara told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

“It is ironic that MLAs have to fight for funds allocated for their constituencies. The government’s approach undermines the institution of MLA and hampers development works.”

BJP MLA RS Pathania said the CDF should be released at the earliest by the government. “It has not been released till date. The government should take necessary steps for releasing funds under the scheme,” he said.

Sources told KNO that some MLAs are mulling to hold a joint press conference over the issue. “There is a widespread anger among MLAs over the issue, irrespective of their party affiliations. Some of them are planning to hold a joint presser over the issue within the next 2- 3 days,” a legislator, wishing anonymity, said.

In the budget presented in the J & K Assembly in March this year, the government had kept a provision of Rs 3. 75 crore as CDF for each MLA.

During grants of departments headed by him, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also announced an increase of Rs one crore in CDF for each MLA. —(KNO)