Latest news with #WaheedurRehmanParra
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PDP questions Omar Abdullah over delay in power amnesty scheme extension
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah for failing to issue an official order extending the power amnesty scheme, despite publicly promising it earlier this year. PDP leader Waheed ur Rehman Parra (File) In March, during a speech in the legislative assembly, Omar Abdullah had announced that the power amnesty scheme would be extended by another year. However, more than four months have passed without any formal notification or directive from the government. Highlighting the issue, PDP legislative party leader Waheed ur Rehman Parra took to social media platform X, stating: 'It's been over four months since the @OmarAbdullah-led government announced the extension of the power amnesty scheme. Yet, not a single official order has been issued till date. This delay has created an administrative vacuum, leaving field officers unsure of how to proceed and consumers trapped in confusion and miscommunication. Public governance cannot function through announcements alone.' Parra urged the chief minister to personally intervene and ensure that a formal order is issued without further delay.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
J&K legislators receive ₹3-crore constituency development fund boost
Jammu and Kashmir legislators have received a long-awaited financial boost with the government releasing ₹3 crore per assembly member under the constituency development fund (CDF) for the current fiscal year. While legislators welcomed the move, many have voiced concern that the amount is inadequate given the rising costs and developmental demands across their constituencies. Under the current structure, each legislator is entitled to spend ₹3 crore annually, totaling ₹15 crore over their five-year term. This is the first major release of CDF since the newly elected assembly took office in October 2024—marking the first such legislative body since J&K's reorganisation into a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. From 2018 until last year, the region was without a functioning assembly. The government had announced the CDF during the previous assembly session, but the funds were released only recently. PDP legislator and Pulwama representative Waheed ur Rehman Parra said ₹3 crore is insufficient to address the needs of around 100 villages in his constituency. 'This amount hasn't changed in ten years despite inflation and increasing demands. My focus will be on youth empowerment, especially women,' he said. Tanvir Sadiq, NC legislator from Hazratbal, emphasized a 'people-first' approach. 'Our focus is on roads, drainage, mohalla clinics, schools, heritage restoration, and water body protection,' he said. However, Sadiq raised concerns over procedural bottlenecks. 'We can't use the CDF for medical aid or emergencies like fire victims, which was earlier possible. The new tender-based system delays urgent works, defeating the very purpose of the fund,' he added, urging for flexibility and timely disbursal of funds. From Langate, Awami Itihaad Party's Sheikh Khursheed highlighted education, healthcare, irrigation, and youth development as key priorities. He criticized the static allocation, pointing out that some Union Territories provide legislators with ₹10 crore annually. 'The CDF should reflect constituency size and population. Cost escalation over the decade has made the current allocation unrealistic,' he said. Congress leader GA Mir from Kokernag echoed similar concerns, stating that while the funds were welcomed, they fell short of public expectations. 'People have huge hopes, and ₹3 crore is a modest amount. Still, I'll try to use it generously to address their immediate needs,' he said. While legislators have welcomed the release of CDF after years of administrative vacuum, they agree that reforms in fund allocation, flexibility, and timeliness are urgently needed to make the scheme truly impactful for grassroots development in Jammu and Kashmir.
