MLAs can now recommend up to Rs 20 lakh annually from the Constituency Development Fund for treatment of cancer, organ transplants, dialysis and other notified illnesses, says Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Aqzar Raheel
Srinagar, July 6: In a major welfare initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare access for economically vulnerable families, the Jammu and Kashmir government has expanded the scope of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), enabling Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to recommend financial assistance for patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.
Announcing the decision in a post on X on Monday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the revised policy would extend financial support to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and other eligible economically weaker sections struggling to meet the cost of critical medical treatment.
Under the expanded provisions, MLAs can now recommend financial assistance of up to Rs 20 lakh annually from their Constituency Development Fund for the treatment of patients diagnosed with cancer, organ transplants, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, and other life-threatening illnesses notified by the government.
“The Government has expanded the scope of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to extend financial assistance to BPL families and other eligible economically weaker sections battling life-threatening diseases,” Abdullah said in his post.
He said the initiative is intended to ensure that timely, life-saving medical support reaches those who need it the most, reducing the financial burden on vulnerable families and improving access to specialised healthcare.
The move marks a significant expansion in the permissible use of CDF resources and is expected to provide much-needed relief to economically disadvantaged patients facing expensive treatment. It also enhances the role of elected representatives in supporting urgent healthcare needs within their constituencies.
The announcement has been widely viewed as a step towards strengthening the government’s social welfare framework by making financial assistance for critical medical care more accessible to deserving beneficiaries across Jammu and Kashmir.
