<p>Srinagar: Nearly three months after the 90 legislators—comprising both the ruling National Conference and the Opposition parties—took their oaths, the Jammu and Kashmir government has finally released just one month's salary for the newly elected legislators a few days ago.</p><p>The payment, which includes their basic salary and allowances, was disbursed at the previous pay scale, sources said.</p><p>When the Legislative Assembly of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was dissolved in November 2018, legislators received a CDF of Rs three crore per year, along with Rs 1.6 lakh in monthly perks, which included a salary of Rs 80,000 and equal allowances.</p><p>Following the Reorganization Act, 2019 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs), the Legislative Assembly has to determine the salaries and allowances of MLAs. Until such legislation is enacted, this responsibility lies with the Lieutenant Governor.</p><p>“The cabinet had sent a recommendation to the Lieutenant Governor regarding enhancement of salaries and perks to the MLAs. However, there has been no progress on it since then and as of now the legislators have been paid salaries as the previous scale,” they said.</p><p>Last month, the Speaker had formally written to the Jammu & Kashmir government, seeking clarification on the legal provisions that govern MLA salaries.</p>.Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah hopes Union Territory status is temporary; asks Centre to fulfill promise on restoration of statehood.<p>A legislator while confirming the release of one month's salary of Rs 1.60 lakh said, it has not resolved their concerns. “We are still awaiting the release of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is crucial for implementing local development projects in their respective constituencies,” he told <em>DH</em>.</p><p>The CDF is typically allocated to elected legislators to fund infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential projects in their respective constituencies. In the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, legislators were provided with Rs three crore annually as CDF in three installments.</p><p>A legislator from the ruling party while expressing helplessness in carrying out developmental works in his constituency due to the absence of funds, said, “The CDF is usually allocated soon after the elections. However, this time, the delay has left us unable to address long-pending issues in our constituencies,” he added.</p><p>However, sources said, an amount of Rs 2.80 crore has been already earmarked as CDF for the legislators, “but it will be released in April 2025.”</p><p>The delay in salary payments and the ongoing uncertainty around the CDF has sparked concerns about the functioning of the legislature and the ability of the newly elected representatives to carry out their duties effectively.</p>
<p>Srinagar: Nearly three months after the 90 legislators—comprising both the ruling National Conference and the Opposition parties—took their oaths, the Jammu and Kashmir government has finally released just one month's salary for the newly elected legislators a few days ago.</p><p>The payment, which includes their basic salary and allowances, was disbursed at the previous pay scale, sources said.</p><p>When the Legislative Assembly of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was dissolved in November 2018, legislators received a CDF of Rs three crore per year, along with Rs 1.6 lakh in monthly perks, which included a salary of Rs 80,000 and equal allowances.</p><p>Following the Reorganization Act, 2019 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs), the Legislative Assembly has to determine the salaries and allowances of MLAs. Until such legislation is enacted, this responsibility lies with the Lieutenant Governor.</p><p>“The cabinet had sent a recommendation to the Lieutenant Governor regarding enhancement of salaries and perks to the MLAs. However, there has been no progress on it since then and as of now the legislators have been paid salaries as the previous scale,” they said.</p><p>Last month, the Speaker had formally written to the Jammu & Kashmir government, seeking clarification on the legal provisions that govern MLA salaries.</p>.Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah hopes Union Territory status is temporary; asks Centre to fulfill promise on restoration of statehood.<p>A legislator while confirming the release of one month's salary of Rs 1.60 lakh said, it has not resolved their concerns. “We are still awaiting the release of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is crucial for implementing local development projects in their respective constituencies,” he told <em>DH</em>.</p><p>The CDF is typically allocated to elected legislators to fund infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential projects in their respective constituencies. In the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, legislators were provided with Rs three crore annually as CDF in three installments.</p><p>A legislator from the ruling party while expressing helplessness in carrying out developmental works in his constituency due to the absence of funds, said, “The CDF is usually allocated soon after the elections. However, this time, the delay has left us unable to address long-pending issues in our constituencies,” he added.</p><p>However, sources said, an amount of Rs 2.80 crore has been already earmarked as CDF for the legislators, “but it will be released in April 2025.”</p><p>The delay in salary payments and the ongoing uncertainty around the CDF has sparked concerns about the functioning of the legislature and the ability of the newly elected representatives to carry out their duties effectively.</p>