Kashmir Pen News Bureau
Srinagar,Oct 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is set to convene today in Srinagar to deliberate on a series of significant policy proposals and administrative reforms ahead of the upcoming Assembly session.
According to official sources, the meeting is scheduled for 4 PM at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar.
Among the major proposals on the agenda is a hike in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for MLAs from ₹3 crore to ₹4 crore per annum. The move addresses a long-pending demand from legislators who had sought an upward revision of the fund during the previous Budget Session. The CDF amount, last revised in 2018, has remained unchanged despite the formation of the new government in 2024.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also oversees the Finance and Planning, Development & Monitoring Departments, had earlier assured lawmakers that their demand would be considered. The proposed hike aims to strengthen grassroots development initiatives and empower MLAs to better address constituency-level needs.
Another key proposal likely to come up is the relaxation of eligibility criteria under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme. At present, the scheme requires beneficiaries to have a minimum “Middle Pass” qualification to avail financial aid. The Cabinet may decide to remove this restriction to enable more economically disadvantaged girls to benefit from the scheme.
The Cabinet is also expected to approve the e-auctioning of limestone mineral blocks across the Union Territory and accord administrative sanction for a ₹45.80 crore sewerage project in Gulmarg, aimed at improving sanitation and boosting tourism infrastructure in the hill resort.
Additionally, the Cabinet will take up legislative business including the Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Establishments Bill, 2025, and proposed amendments to the J&K Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. These bills are likely to be tabled during the Assembly session beginning October 23 in Srinagar.
Other agenda items include:
• Reorganization of Town Planning Organizations across J&K.
• Transfer of 391 kanals and 6 marlas of state land to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation.
• Upgradation of posts in the Department of Floriculture, Gardens & Parks.
• Creation of a supernumerary post of Lecturer (Surgery) at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar.
• Continuation of Heritage Craft Courses in 15 Government ITIs and Polytechnic Colleges across the UT.
All Cabinet decisions will subsequently be forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor for formal approval as required under the prevailing administrative framework.
— Kashmir Pen
