CDF guidelines for MLAs notified

Jammu, Mar 10: Members of the J&K Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will have the choice to suggest to the District Development Commissioners (DDC) works to the tune of Rs 3 Cr per year, to be taken up in their respective constituencies.

This has been spelt out in the detailed guidelines on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) scheme for MLAs, issued by the J&K Finance Department on Monday.

The guidelines have been issued for implementation, in supersession of all previous orders, circulars and guidelines on the subject.

“Consequent upon the decision taken by the Council of Ministries, vide decision dated March 3, 2025, (CDF) Scheme the guidelines on Constituency Development Fund are hereby issued with immediate effect,” read an order issued by Principal Secretary, Finance Department Santosh D Vaidya.

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Scheme has been operational in J&K since 1997-98 on the pattern of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).

Under the scheme, each Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) can recommend works for the creation of durable community assets based on locally felt needs.

The works are to be taken up in their constituencies in the priority areas viz; drinking water, roads, education, public health, sanitation, power distribution, tourist infrastructure, etc. to maximize the welfare of the local people in line with their needs and preferences.

Under this scheme, the nominated members of the Legislative Assembly may also select works for implementation in any part of the UT.

WHAT TYPES OF WORKS CAN BE UNDERTAKEN

The works under the scheme will be developmental in nature, based on locally felt needs in the constituency. Attempts should be made to create durable assets. The funds will not be used for incurring revenue expenditure or for creating posts of paying salaries. Only those works should be taken up which can be completed within a span of one year.

In areas of higher reaches where the working season is limited, the DDC, subject to the approval of the concerned MLA, may also sanction work that can be completed within two working seasons, but not exceeding two years.

Payment for land acquisition will not be allowed under this scheme. The land for CDF works should either be Government land or land donated by community member(s) voluntarily without any pre-condition.

“It would be desirable for the MLA to suggest individual works costing not more than Rs 10 lakh per work.

The full funds will be allocated by the Finance Department to DDC at the start of each financial year. Based on the recommendations of MLAs and technically vetted estimates, DDCs will upload the CDF works on BEAMS, the guidelines specify.

NOT PERMISSIBLE WORKS

The list of works not permissible will include office buildings, residential buildings and other buildings relating to Central or State government departments, agencies or organisations or private individuals.

Works or equipment for commercial organisations, trusts and registered government societies, private institutions which are not recognised by the government are also not permissible.

The CDF funds can be used for repair and renovation of immovable assets subject to the condition that the MLA can recommend funds only up to Rs 25 lakhs per year for all such repairs and renovations put together, provided that renovation of the asset can be taken up only after a reasonable gap of time since its original construction or last repair.

Memorials or memorial buildings; purchase of inventory or stock of any type; acquisition of land or any compensation for land acquired; assets for an individual benefit, except those which are part of approved schemes and places for religious worship are also not permissible.