Latest news with #CDF
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delay in capex budget hampers devp in Jammu
Over three months on since the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year was presented by chief minister Omar Abdullah in March, allocation of funds under the Capex plan have been delayed to some extent, thereby taking a toll on development works in Jammu region. MLAs rued delay in releasing the funds for the development of their constituencies. 'It's been nearly two months now and we have not received funds under the Capex plan,' said a head of a key government department, on the condition of anonymity. 'J&K, because of its geographical location, gives us a limited period of time to implement development works. Monsoon is around the corner and then winter will set in. This way, we won't be able to work to the fullest and only 60 to 70% work will be done during this fiscal year,' he added. A district commissioner said that there has been a two months delay despite the sharing of budget ceilings by the government for the district's Capex plans. 'Having said so, we are submitting our micro-budgeting needs on BEAMS (budgetary estimates, allocations and monitoring system),' he said. He informed that some funds for the public works department (PWD) were released under the UT Capex budget. Director general Budget of the finance department, Mohammad Sultan Malik, claimed that soon after the budget, they conveyed budget ceilings to various government departments asking them to upload their respective micro-budgeting needs on BEAMS. 'There is no delay. Soon after appropriation bills for various departments were moved during the budget session, we immediately conveyed ceilings to the government departments and asked them to upload their micro-budgeting on BEAMS,' said the DG. He, however, informed that some government departments may have not uploaded micro-budgeting heads, which might have been causing delay. BJP MLA from RS Pura-Gandhi Nagar assembly constituency, Dr Narinder Singh Raina, drew attention to the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) of elected legislators. 'The CDF has neither been hiked to ₹4 crore from ₹3 crore, nor it has been released as yet,' he said. The BJP MLA, however, asserted that centrally sponsored projects were being implemented in J&K without any delay. An MLA of the ruling National Conference also said that the delay in approvals has hampered development works. Deputy director, development expenditure of the finance department, Raman Sharma, had issued the letter on May 30, which read, 'Kindly find enclosed herewith district-wise/ sector-wise ceilings under district Capex budget 2025-26. The ceilings in respect of remaining sectors shall be communicated separately. In this connection, I am directed to request you to formulate a work-wise plan strictly within the conveyed ceilings and furnish the same, both in hard & soft copy, to this department by or before June 15, 2025.'
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- 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.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Gerik crash: CDF personnel recounts darkest moment in 18-year career
IPOH: The crash at Km53 of the East-West Highway in Gerik, which claimed 15 lives early yesterday morning, marked a dark moment in the 18-year career of Malaysian Civil Defence Force (CDF) officer Muhammad Yusuf Nuruddin. Initially unaware of the severity of the tragedy, involving a chartered bus and a Perodua Alza, near Tasik Banding, the personnel, from Hulu Perak, believed it was just a routine accident without any casualties. When he and three other personnel of Hulu Perak CDF - Mohd Zamri Taib, 47, Muhammad Isma Aliff Mohd Asri, 24, and Muhammad Mainun Azim Azman, 28 - were informed that the crash had resulted in 15 fatalities, they were momentarily stunned. "I recall bus-related incidents before - one overturned and another veered off the road, but none involved any fatalities. "This time, it was different, and it's something I will never forget. "I didn't even get to see the condition of the deceased victims because my priority was to provide immediate aid. "We handed over the deceased to the Fire and Rescue Department and the Health Ministry (MOH)," he told Bernama yesterday, still visibly affected by the incident. Asked to elaborate, Muhammad Yusuf, 38, said that the CDF team arrived at the crash site about an hour after receiving the emergency call. Upon arrival, firefighters and MOH team were already on-site conducting rescue operations. The area was pitch-black, forcing rescuers to rely on vehicle headlights for visibility. In the dim light, they noticed several injured victims sitting by the roadside. "At that time, the atmosphere was eerily quiet and completely dark. "There were no sounds from the victims. "Only the rescuers' voices giving instructions could be heard. "Perhaps the victims were still in shock," he said. During the rescue operation, Muhammad Yusuf and his team worked fast to provide initial aid to the victims, including those with serious injuries like broken limbs or internal bleeding. He remembered seeing a victim with a serious head injury. An initial assessment revealed no visible fractures, so rescuers provided immediate treatment before transporting the victim to hospital. "Then we transported another victim with a broken arm to the Gerik Hospital, while ambulances from MOH and JBPM (Fire and Rescue Department) ferried others. "During the journey to the hospital, one victim suffered internal bleeding and vomited blood twice. "We suctioned the blood to prevent suffocation and ensure it did not obstruct the victim's breathing," he said. In addition to the 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students who lost their lives, the accident also resulted in injuries to 33 other individuals, including the bus driver, his assistant, and three passengers from a Perodua Alza. – Bernama
Gulf Today
08-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Saudi CDF celebrates KSA handicrafts through showcase in Selfridges, London
The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) is showcasing a curated collection by Saudi artisans at Selfridges London, one of the world's leading luxury retail destinations, June 3-22. The initiative highlights the cultural and economic value and salience of Saudi handicrafts, providing an international platform for local artisans and cultural entrepreneurs to introduce their work to a global audience, as part of CDF's ongoing efforts to amplify the impact of the Year of Handicrafts 2025 in KSA. In collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, a global non-profit dedicated to reviving traditional arts and empowering craftspeople, the showcase offers visitors a curated selection of handcrafted pieces in a dedicated space within Selfridges. Themed with references to Saudi Arabia's natural and architectural heritage, the activation highlights work crafted from locally sourced, sustainable materials, reimagined through a contemporary creative lens. The collection features handicraft pieces in palm handicrafts, jewellery and accessories and leather crafts created by artisans from across the Kingdom, together representing the diverse and rich landscape of Saudi artisanship. Examining a product. The programme runs in parallel with a Saudi fashion showcase at Selfridges, also enabled by CDF in collaboration with the Saudi Fashion Commission. It features a curated lineup of Saudi fashion brands — beneficiaries of CDF and the Saudi 100 Brands initiative — presenting their collections alongside Selfridges' leading international labels, highlighting the dynamism and rapid growth of Saudi Arabia's cultural sector. Through the multifaceted show, CDF aims to empower artisans and cultural entrepreneurs to showcase their work on a global stage, stimulate investment in the handicrafts and fashion sectors, and reinforce the international visibility of Saudi heritage during the Year of Handicrafts 2025 in Saudi Arabia. The showcase builds on CDF's ongoing Year of Handicrafts initiatives to empower the Saudi cultural sector, maximise economic and social contributions of traditional crafts, and broaden their reach, both locally and internationally. A key milestone in the efforts is the recent launch of the Nama' Accelerators: Handicrafts Track — a dedicated enablement solution that supports cultural businesses through specialised training, mentorship, and financial incentives. By developing scalable, sustainable enterprises, Nama' drives community growth, enhances innovation, enriches national identity, and reinforces heritage crafts as dynamic contributors to Saudi Arabia's broader economic diversification. Through Nama' and other empowerment solutions, CDF strives to strengthen the creative entrepreneurial ecosystem and ensure that traditional crafts thrive as both cultural treasures and engines of economic growth. Founded in 2021, CDF seeks to enrich Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape. It is organisationally linked to the Saudi National Development Fund and aims to foster the development of a self-reliant cultural sector. By supporting cultural activities and projects, empowering those involved in them and facilitating investment in the sector, CDF works to improve the cultural sector's profitability, in alignment with the National Culture Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030. Selfridges is a London icon. Aligned with the Ministry of Culture's ambitious goals, the Saudi Fashion Commission was established to empower and support the fashion sector in Saudi Arabia. The Commission's strategy focuses on supporting the fashion community throughout the total value chain, from the design process through production, development, and product lifecycle management. The Commission recognises the fashion industry as a pillar of local culture, reflecting Saudi Arabia's rich heritage. It works to amplify Saudi heritage and identity within the industry, contributing to fulfilling global needs and achieving a positive impact on the national economy. The Commission's mission is to enable the development of a thriving Saudi fashion sector that is sustainable, inclusive, and fully integrated to support local talent. Handicrafts have long held a special place in Saudi Arabia's cultural fabric, representing a prosperous heritage passed down through generations. Rooted in the creativity and skill of Saudi artisans, traditional crafts symbolise the nation's ingenuity and resilience, while highlighting its diverse cultural identity. Throughout 2025, the Saudi Ministry of Culture is organising an array of events, exhibitions, educational programmes and competitions under the banner of the 'Year of Handicrafts'. The activities aim to emphasise the cultural and historical significance of handicrafts, while supporting their relevance in contemporary life. By highlighting artisanry across various sectors, the initiative seeks to foster appreciation for traditional arts and encourage their continued practice and preservation. Handicrafts, including palm weaving, metalwork and pottery, serve as enduring symbols of Saudi culture, blending tradition with modernity. They are not only artistic expression, but also a reflection of the Kingdom's history, values, and adaptability. By celebrating them, the Year of Handicrafts aims to inspire new generations to engage with their heritage and highlight the talent of Saudi artisans to local and global audiences. The initiative also seeks to empower artisans by enhancing opportunities for their crafts in contemporary markets and strengthening their connection with the global community. Through partnerships across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the Year of Handicrafts cultivates sustainable practices, fosters innovation, and contributes to cultural dialogue. As a testament to the Ministry of Culture's commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia's heritage, the Year of Handicrafts also provides a platform to celebrate the stories, skills, and traditions that form the foundation of the Kingdom's cultural identity. Selfridges is an upscale department store, stocking designer and popular clothing brands plus housewares and gifts. The Oxford Street icon is a London landmark and a luxury shopping experience, home to both affordable and premium brands, offering fashion, beauty, time pieces and jewellery to home and technology and haute cuisine.
New Straits Times
08-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Cow for Aidiladha sacrifice dies after falling into well
KOTA BARU: A cow meant for the Aidiladha sacrificial rites died yesterday after falling into a well in Kampung Sireh. The 12.30pm incident prompted a response from the Kota Baru Civil Defence Force (CDF), which was alerted via the MERS 999 emergency line. In a Facebook post, the CDF said one officer and eight personnel were dispatched to the scene along with rescue equipment. "Upon arrival, the team found that the cow had died after falling into the well. The carcass was later retrieved using specialised tools," it said. The operation concluded without injuries or safety risks to team members, the statement added.
