Ban on engagement of casual, need based workers, daily wagers to continue

Jammu, Mar 31: Finance department has directed that the ban on engagement of casual workers, need based workers, daily wagers etc., will continue to be in force.

“All development, capex release order issued by the administrative departments to the respective controlling officers shall invariably have the condition that the departments shall refrain from making fresh engagements under projects or schemes,” Principal Secretary Finance department Santosh D Vaidya has stipulated this condition, while authorising 50 percent of the interim budget (Vote-on-Account) 2024-25 under capex budget, including the district capex for the financial year 2024-25 in favour of all the departments and District Development Commissioners (DDCs).

Similarly, the utilization of 50 percent funds authorised under Revenue budget will also be subject to this condition besides other detailed set of stipulations.

Under Revenue budget for the financial year 2024-25, the authorization of 50 percent of the interim budget (Vote-on-Account) 2024-25 has not been made in respect of seven heads viz., Leave Travel Concession; purchase of vehicles; furniture and furnishings; interest; purchase of power; cost price of food grains; snow clearance, UT share under revenue component and

Disaster Response Fund (DRF). In these cases, it will be released on a case to case basis, it has been clarified.

Asserting that the utilisation of funds is subject to conditions, Vaidya has stipulated that all the spill-over and ongoing works or activities which are expected to be completed during the year 2024-25 or at the most in succeeding year will be the first charge on Capex budget 2024-25. The departments and DDCs have been directed to ensure that no ongoing work is left out.

“The main focus of the departments and DDCs must be on outcomes in terms of benefit to the public. All departments shall prepare their annual plans delineating clear outcomes. They shall also prioritize the balance requirements of funds for the languishing projects within the approved Capex ceilings available on BEAMS portal and shall upload the works accordingly with LUP_CODE in the nomenclature for clear distinction of such works,” he has instructed with the caution that the capital outlay will not be utilized for revenue nature of expenditure.

The departments and DDCs have been instructed to ensure that the “Budget announcements” and “deliverables” for the year 2024-25 are included in the budget outlays and achievements on this account will be reviewed periodically at the highest administrative level or Finance department.

The departments will ensure that both central share as well as UT share of CSS will be fully captured on BEAMS. In terms of Rule-136(l) of GFR, no works will be commenced or liability incurred in connection with it until administrative approval has been obtained from the appropriate authority in each case and other specified conditions are met.

With regard to the tendering process, it has been stipulated that e-tenders will be invited for the entire project cost as per the administrative approval to the project and fragmentation of projects, while tendering, is strictly prohibited. Another condition stipulates that any re-allocation proposal within the approved work plans will be furnished to the Finance department based on proper justification by or before October 31, 2024.

Under no circumstances re-allocation proposals will be considered in the Finance department during the last quarter of 2024-25 except in extremely exceptional cases, Vaidya has cautioned.

“Funds provided under all the beneficiary schemes shall be disbursed through DBT mode with 100 percent Aadhaar seeding (both beneficiary and account) which shall be reviewed by each Administrative Secretary on monthly basis and beneficiary-wise report shall be uploaded on DBT portal on regular basis,” he has instructed.