MLA Fund Hike, Marriage Aid Relaxation, New Bills on Agenda
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: DD, The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday in Srinagar to discuss several major proposals ahead of the upcoming Assembly session.
Sources said that the cabinet is scheduled to meet today 4 PM at Civil Secretariate Srinagar.
The Cabinet is likely to propose an increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of MLAs from ₹3 crore to ₹4 crore per annum, they said.
This proposal comes in response to the long-standing demand of legislators who had sought a revision of the CDF limit during the Budget Session held earlier this year.
The fund was last fixed at ₹3 crore in 2018 and remained unchanged even after the formation of the new government in 2024.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Finance and Planning, Development, and Monitoring portfolios, had assured lawmakers that their demand would be considered. The proposed hike is expected to strengthen grassroots-level development and empower MLAs to address local issues more effectively.
Another significant agenda item for the Cabinet is the relaxation of the qualification bar under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme.
Currently, poor girls need to be at least “Middle Pass” to avail benefits. The Cabinet is likely to remove this qualification requirement to ensure that more deserving beneficiaries can access the scheme’s financial aid.
In addition, the Cabinet is expected to approve the e-auctioning of limestone mineral blocks across Jammu and Kashmir. It may also grant administrative approval for a ₹45.80 crore sewerage scheme in Gulmarg aimed at improving sanitation and tourism infrastructure in the popular hill resort, sources said.
The Cabinet will also take up several legislative proposals, including the Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Establishments Bill, 2025 and amendments to the J&K Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. These bills are expected to be introduced during the Assembly session beginning October 23 in Srinagar, they added.
Other key items on the Cabinet’s agenda include the reorganization of Town Planning Organizations in Jammu and Kashmir, the transfer of 391 kanals and 6 marlas of state land to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation, and the upgradation of posts in the Department of Floriculture, Gardens, and Parks.
The Cabinet is also expected to approve the creation of a supernumerary post of Lecturer in the Surgery Department of Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and the continuation of Heritage Craft Courses in 15 Government ITIs and Polytechnic Colleges across the Union Territory.
All Cabinet decisions will subsequently be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor for formal approval, as mandated under the current administrative framework. (KNC)
