Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 16: In a significant decision, the State Government today approved enhancement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of the legislators from Rs 1.50 crore to Rs 3 crore from the current financial year.
According to an order issued by the Planning, Development & 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 utilize 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/kidney transplant, bone marrow and heart transplant, blindness and other life consuming diseases. This could also supplement Red Cross or other NGO assistance.
In power infrastructure, up to Rs 1 crore (nil or any amount up to an amount of Rs 1 crore) that is up to 33.33% of the total entitlement of the CDF could be used for strengthening of Power Infrastructure in the constituency. However, for creation/augmentation of sub stations/distribution, the amount shall not exceed Rs 30 lakh and shall be further subject to the conditions already spelt out vide Govt Order No: 21-PD of 2017 dated: 12.01.2017.
For up-gradation of houses, the order said that 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 channelized out of CDF, for providing assistance to tribal/ 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.
Upto Rs 20 lakh could be utilized out of CDF as flexi-fund for contributing towards implementation of flagship schemes like Swachh Bharat Scheme and Development of High Density Plantation under Horticulture Sector, it said.
The order said that augmentations support to the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (both Central share as well as State share) can be recommended out of the CDF while indicating the geographical area where scheme could be implemented. Such a contribution will not be beneficiary-oriented.
Under Skill Development/Entrepreneurship, upto Rs 5 lakh can be utilized to support Skill Development initiative by way of financial assistance to any Govt department/Public Sector Undertaking or Public Limited Company.
For Solar Lights, while beneficiary contribution for individual solar lights will continue to be prohibited under CDF, the net cost after deduction of subsidy, which a Government or Local Body/Agency has to bear for a solar light project, where the project is in a public place or where the project is for the public/community at large, and where the subsequent maintenance of the solar lights is duly provided for, will be permitted under CDF up to Rs 5 lakh.
Smokeless Chullahs/ Biomass Cook stoves: Up to Rs. 5.00 lacs could be utilized out of the CDF for providing assistance for purchase of Smokeless Chullahs / Biomass Cook stoves as approved by MNRE, to the BPL/ most vulnerable sections of society.
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