J&K goes austere: Complete ban on official dinners, lunches

Jammu, Jan 11: There will be complete ban on holding of official dinners and lunches in J&K, during its ‘austere drive’ in the last quarter of financial year 2024-25.

Only exception to this directive will be the official dinners and lunches, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister or with specific approval of the Chief Minister.

Another significant austerity measure calling for strict adherence relates to creation and filling of posts prohibiting creation of any new post.

As much as 10 per cent economy cut will be imposed on the budget allocation for OE, LTC, telephone, POL, advertisements, publicity, hospitality and sumptuary activities.

These directives form part of the annual drill of “rationalization of expenditure for fiscal prudence and economy during the current financial year 2O24-25 with immediate effect.”

As per the following guidelines for austerity and rationalization of expenditure, filling of regular posts may be undertaken only through JKSSB and JKPSC routes and with concurrence of the Finance Department.Posts that have remained vacant for more than two years would be identified for surrender.

Such posts would not be revived except under rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance from the Finance department. For a balanced pace of expenditure, during the last quarter of the current financial year, as per guidelines, the revenue expenditure should be limited to 30 percent of 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, the payments may be made only for the works duly executed and the goods and services already procured.

Hence, no amount would 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.

AVOID RUSH OF EXPENDITURE IN MARCH

It has been directed to avoid a rush of expenditure on procurement of goods and services during the last month of the current financial year to ensure that codal procedures are complied with and there is no infructuous expenditure.In this connection, the Directors Finance and Financial Advisors have been asked to specially monitor this aspect in their respective departments.With regard to seminars and conferences, it has been directed to observe the utmost economy.Holding of exhibitions, fairs, seminars and conferences outside J&K will be strongly discouraged and there will be a complete ban on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels.Similarly, purchase of new vehicles will be strictly discouraged.Exceptional cases for meeting critical operational requirements will be permitted with 20 percent reduction against condemnation as a replacement measure and with the concurrence of the Finance Department.

REGULATED DOMESTIC, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Austerity measures suggest regulated travel expenditure so as to ensure that each department remains within the allocated budget. Re-appropriation or augmentation proposals on this account will not be entertained. International travel will not be allowed unless specific permission is granted by the Finance Department.Within the country, the officers will travel only by economy class regardless of entitlement.10-percent economy cut will be imposed on the travel expenses budget allocation for 2O24-25.Similarly, no furniture will be procured except in case of newly established offices with the concurrence of the Finance Department.The local fund available with various departments, Universities, authorities and agencies will be subject to these austerity measures.“The compliance of GFRs, CVC guidelines and instructions issued by the Government for e-tendering, GEM based procurement, technical sanction and administrative approval must be followed,” it has been specified.The non-priority items of works under the Capex budget may put a strain on the resources required for priority works and also amounts for wasteful expenditure. As such, budget release under all non-priority new works, activities like repair, renovation and upgradation of residential quarters or office buildings, token provisions, lump sum provisions etc kept under BE 2024-25, will not be released through BEAMS.No fresh financial commitments will be made on items and proposals which are not provided for in the approved budget of 2024-25.Any exceptional case should be dealt only with the approval of the Finance Department.Administrative Secretaries will be responsible for ensuring compliance of the measures. Directors Finance 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.