Admin allows work on projects funded by legislators

Srinagar, Sep 8: Aimed at restoring political activities, the governor administration has directed the district development commissioners to consider recommendations for fresh works from the legislators.
Former Governor N N Vohra, on June 20, placed the state Assembly under suspended animation after the fall of the PDP-BJP government.
Since then, the political activities had become halted, as the legislators were not entitled to spend the funds under the constituency development scheme.
Over the last over 10 weeks, the legislators have met with the successive governors to allow them to spend the funds, which could otherwise lapse due to extension of Governor Rule in the state.
Now, the administration has directed the district development commissioners to continue the works being done under the constituency development scheme.
“Any fresh work recommendations by legislators under the constituency development schemes shall continue to be considered by the concerned DDCs subject to availability of net balance under CDS funds in their respective accounts and in tune with the guidelines of the scheme,” a government order reads.
The demand for allowing MLAs to identify new works under CDF was raised by representatives of different political parties.
The order says, “Works for which either administrative approval has been accorded or detailed estimates have been prepared but have not physically commenced shall be executed expeditiously after accord of administrative approval and completion of prescribed codal formalities subject to the availability of net balance funds in the account of legislators.”
The government has also issued directives to DDCs on completion and supervision of works under the Constituency Development Fund Scheme.
The DDCs have been directed to monitor the physical and financial progress of works taken up under CDF in their respective districts and ensure that the works are approved and executed strictly as per the norms and guidelines of CDF scheme.
Earlier, the DDCs were in a dilemma whether works recommended by MLAs after imposition of Governor’s rule in the state on June 19 can be executed under CDF.
On April 23 this year, the state government had released Rs 369 crore to CDF for 123 legislators including 89 MLAs. The remaining 34 are members of the Legislative Council.
Under CDF, each legislator is entitled to Rs three crore a year for spending in their respective constituencies.
The CDF scheme—a replica of Member Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund—was rolled out in 1997-98 by then Farooq Abdullah-led government.
In the beginning Rs 25 lakh per annum was allocated to each MLA, which was enhanced to Rs 35 lakh from financial year 2004-05.
In 2009-10 and 2011-12, the CDF was increased to Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore respectively. In 2012-13, then NC-Congress regime affected another hike by increasing the fund to Rs 1.50 crore. The PDP-BJP government increased it to Rs three crore in 2017.