Asks UT administration to enhance honorarium of elected councilors
By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended to the administration of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to create a separate contingency fund for DDCs and BDCs and enhance the honorarium of elected councilors.
In its report tabled in the parliament on March 9, the parliamentary panel recommended to UT administration to create a separate contingency fund to the tune of 5-10% of capital expenditure budget to meet unexpected needs of the DDCs/BDCs pertaining to developmental works.
The committee recommended creation of the contingency fund after it enquired about the development funds that have been earmarked for district development councils and block development councils and whether contingency fund has been created for them to meet the unexpected needs.
The panel was informed that Rs 200 crore have been earmarked for DDCs, Rs 71.25 crore for BDCs and Rs 1000 crore for PRIs during 2021-22.
The panel was also informed that “no contingency funds have been created for DDCs/BDCs to meet the unexpected need”.
It also recommended to UT administration to review and increase the honorarium of elected councilors.
The committee also recommended that appropriate security and accommodation may be provided to all elected councilors considering the security situation in J&K.
“The Committee notes that 378 councilors have been provided security in the UT. However, providing vehicles to the elected representative of Municipal councils/committee is under consideration of the government. The committee recommends that appropriate security and accommodation may be provided to all elected councilors considering the security situation in J&K. The committee also recommends to provide vehicles along with fuel expenses to the elected representatives of municipal councils/committees at the earliest. The committee would like to be apprised about the progress made in this regard,” the report states.
