Govt goes austere; bans ‘official functions, creation of new posts’

Jammu, Jan 15: Invoking austerity measures during the last quarter of the current financial year, J&K government Monday, in its annual fiscal-prudence drill, has imposed complete ban on holding of official functions and creation of new posts, yet with certain exceptions.

While issuing routine guidelines and measures for austerity and rationalization of expenditure with immediate effect, the Finance department has made the Administrative Secretaries responsible for ensuring compliance of the measures outlined.

Going austere, the government, with regard to creation and filling of posts, has ordered that no new post will be created.

“Filling of regular posts may be undertaken only through JKSSB and JKPSC routes and with concurrence of the Finance department,” Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya has directed. He has ordered that the posts that have remained vacant for more than two years should be identified for surrender.

“Such posts should be not revived except under rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance from the Finance department,” he has specified.

Sanctioning the rationalization of expenditure for fiscal prudence and economy during the current financial year, the government has also imposed complete ban on “holding of official dinners and lunches, except those hosted by the Chief Secretary and Lieutenant Governor or with specific approval of the Lieutenant Governor.”

There will be complete ban on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels. Government buildings and halls should be utilized for holding of meetings and conferences instead. 10 percent economy cut has also been imposed on the budget allocation for conduct of camps, conferences and seminars.

To ensure “balanced pace of expenditure”, it has been ordered that during the last quarter of the current financial year, the revenue expenditure should be limited to 30 percent of revised budget allocation and in the month of March, the expenditure should be limited to 15 percent of such allocation.

“In the last month of the current financial year, payments may be made only for the works duly executed, and the goods and services already procured. Hence, no amount should be released in advance in the last month with the exception of the loans or advances to government servants as per service conditions or on compassionate grounds or to disaster victims as a measure of relief and rehabilitation,” Vaidya has directed.

He has cautioned that rush of expenditure on procurement of goods and services should be avoided during the last month of the current financial year to ensure that codal procedures are complied with and there is no infructuous expenditure. Director Finances and the Financial Advisors have been asked to specially monitor this aspect in their respective departments.

As per routine drill, 10 percent economy cut is also imposed on the budget allocation for OE, LTC, telephone, POL, travel, advertisements, publicity, hospitality and sumptuary activities.

With regard to seminars and conference, it has been directed that utmost economy will be observed in organising conferences seminars or workshops. Holding of exhibitions or fairs or seminars or conferences outside J&K will be strongly discouraged.

“Purchase of new vehicles is strictly discouraged. Exceptional cases for meeting critical operational requirement shall be permitted with 20 percent reduction against condemnation as a replacement measure and with the concurrence of Finance Department. The already condemned vehicles must be auctioned and auction proceeds deposited as Miscellaneous Revenue before submitting such proposal,” Vaidya has directed.

Guidelines mention that travel expenditure should be regulated so as to ensure that each department remains within the revised allocated budget.

“International travel shall not be allowed without specific permission is granted by the Finance Department. Within the country, the officers should travel only by economy class regardless of entitlement,” Vaidya has cautioned.

“No furniture shall be procured except in case of newly established offices with the concurrence of the Finance Department. The old dilapidated furniture shall be auctioned and auction proceeds deposited as Miscellaneous Revenue,” he has directed.

The local fund available with various Departments, Universities, Authorities and Agencies will be subject to these austerity measures.

The compliances of GFRs, CVC guidelines and instructions issued by Government for e-tendering, GEM based procurement, technical sanction and administrative approval must be followed.

No fresh financial commitments will be made on items and proposals which are not provided for in the approved budget of 2023-24.

Any exceptional case should be dealt only with the approval of the Finance Department.

Director Finances and Financial Advisors will scrupulously assist the respective Departments in securing compliance with these measures and also submit an overall report to the Finance Department, it has been directed.