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‘Donation’ word not to be used for CDF spending

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 11/26/2013 11:09:20 PM

JAMMU, Nov 26: Taking cognizance of the objection raised by an RTI activist, the state government through its Planning and Development department has asked all the DCs/implementing agencies not to use word ‘donation’ in plaques/signboards related to anything constructed or procured out of Constituency Development Funds(CDF) of legislators.
The direction has come in the form of a circular of Planning & Development department vide no. 10-PD of 2013 dated 11/11/2013 by Principal Secretary of Planning and Development Department B R Sharma in response to a complaint filed by Convener Sangarsh RTI Movement Balvinder Singh with the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell (vide no. 43616) on October 5, 2013.
Singh in his complaint had objected to the use of word ‘donation’ by the MLAs and MLCs in the plaques/signboards for the vehicles, ambulances, water coolers purchased out of CDF and (CDF) spending for construction works.
In the circular, all the District Development Commissioners/implementing agencies have been asked to do away with the use of word ‘donation’ on the plaques/sign boards of CDF works/facilities and substitute by the word “constructed under the CDF of Hon’ble MLA/MLCs…” in respect of construction works, “provided” in respect of ambulances, vehicles, water coolers etc., and “installed” in respect of street light, water pumps etc.
The brief details of his complaint filed with the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell were shared by the Convener Sangarsh RTI Movement Balvinder Singh in a press conference here today.
Singh was accompanied by his other colleagues including RTI activist Raman Sharma, advocate Dewaker Sharma and Harasis Singh, member Sangarsh group.
Balvinder Singh informed that on October 5, 2013 he had submitted a complaint with the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell (vide no. 43616) wherein being a tax payer he had raised objection over the use of word ‘donation’ on the plaques/signboards related to construction works and other public utilities like water tank and coolers, constructed/purchased out of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of legislators.
In his complaint, Balvinder Singh had argued, “The use of word donation is highly objectionable because as per the Oxford and many other dictionaries available, `donation’ can only be given out of one’s personal belongings and out of one’s own earnings and for purely the purpose of charity. I think it is not the charity at all as the people elect their representatives….. thus the politicians works as their fund manager and not the donors.”
Singh expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell, the Planning department and all other officers who took due cognizance of his objection and directed for substituting the word. He said, “This is the victory of a common man and ethos of democratic principles.”
Raman Sharma, while speaking on the occasion, congratulated Balvinder Singh and the government for such a historic order and asked the people in general and youth in particular to come forward and project their grievances at the appropriate forums without any confrontations.
The Planning & Development department Circular reads as:
“The objective of the Constituency Development Scheme is to provide a mechanism for the Hon’ble MLAs/MLCs to recommend works of developmental nature for creation of durable assets and provisions of basic facilities including community infrastructure based on locally felt needs in accordance with the present guidelines.
It has been observed that while providing funds for a particular work/facility under CDF, the implementing agencies sometimes use the word “donated by Hon’ble MLA/MLC on the plaques/signboards and certain quarters have objected to the use of such words. The matter was examined in the light of the CDF guidelines and it is clarified to all the District Development Commissioners/implementing agencies that the use of word ‘donation’ on the plaques/sign boards of CDF works/facilities shall be done away with and substituted by the word “constructed under the CDF of Hon’ble MLA/MLCs…” in respect of construction works, “provided” in respect of ambulances, vehicles, water coolers etc., and “installed” in respect of street light, water pumps etc., while providing such basic facilities to meet the locally felt needs of the people.
These instructions shall be adhered to in letter and spirit.”