‘Create Fund to meet unexpected needs of DDCs/BDCs’
Recommends increase in honorarium, fuel expenses
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 15: Keeping in view the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has asked the Government to provide appropriate security and accommodation to all the elected Councilors. Moreover, it has recommended increase in honorarium and fuel expenses besides creation of Contingency Fund to meet unexpected needs of District Development Councils (DDCs) and Block Development Councils (BDCs).
In its report tabled in both Houses of the Parliament yesterday, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR, the Parliamentary Standing Committee headed by Congress leader Anand Sharma has observed that the security and accommodation to the elected Councilors are being provided by the J&K Union Territory Government on the threat perception and on the request of the concerned member.
“As of now, 378 Councilors have been provided security in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir while facility for secure accommodation is available in cluster/hired hotels. The Government claims that the issue of providing vehicles to the elected representative of Municipal Councils/Committees is under its consideration”, the Parliamentary Panel has further observed.
Accordingly, it has recommended to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that appropriate security and accommodation may be provided to all elected Councilors considering the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. It has further recommended that vehicles along with fuel expenses should be provided to the elected representatives of Municipal Councils and Committees at the earliest.
It has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to inform it about the progress made in this regard as early as possible.
The Committee had enquired about the development funds that have been earmarked for District Development Councils and Block Development Councils in Jammu and Kashmir and whether Contingency Fund has been created to meet the unexpected needs. However, the Government informed the Parliamentary Panel that no Contingency Fund has been created till date.
The Panel has now recommended that the J&K UT administration should create a separate Contingency Fund to the tune of 5-10% of the capital expenditure budget to meet unexpected needs of the DDCs/BDCs pertaining to the developmental works.
As per the figures provided by the J&K Government to the Parliamentary Panel, Rs 200 crore were provided to the District Development Councils, Rs 71.25 crore to the Block Development Councils and Rs 1000 crore to the Panchayats.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee has further recommended review and increase of honorarium being given to different elected Councilors. At present, the Presidents of Municipal Committees/Councils are given honorarium of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 to Vice-Presidents of Municipal Councils, Rs 8000 to the Vice-Presidents of Municipal Committees, Rs 5000 to Councilors of Municipal Councils and Rs 4000 to the Councilors of Municipal Committees.
Further, the reimbursement of usage bill of telephone facility subject to the monthly ceiling of Rs 5000 for Presidents and Vice-Presidents and Members is being ensured by the Government. Besides, the elected representatives of Councils are being paid Rs 750 and elected representatives of Committees are being paid Rs 500 on account of meeting charges.
As far as fund utilization pattern of the District Development Councils and Block Development Councils in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 is concerned, the Government has informed the Parliamentary Panel that work wise funds are provided through respective District Development Commissioners (DDCs) as per the approved plans of the DDCs/BDCs. However, no fixed ratio has been prescribed.
It is pertinent to mention here that a number of Councilors and other elected representatives of the people at the grass-root level were killed by the militants in the past and political parties collectively demanded adequate security for the Councilors and others so as to instill sense of security among them, which is imperative for the smooth movement and work for the welfare of the people of their respective areas.
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