Officers asked to travel by economy class
*No new posts to be created
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 11: The Finance Department of Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered series of austerity measures and rationalization of expenditure during last quarter of ongoing financial year of 2024-25.
Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah besides top Army Commanders are likely to join the ‘Veterans Day’ celebrations at Akhnoor on January 14.
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Detailed guidelines on austerity measures and expenditure management were issued today.
The Finance Department has limited revenue expenditure to 30 percent of budget allocation during last quarter of current financial year and 15 percent in the month of March.
“In last month of current 2024-25, the payments may be made only for the works duly executed and the goods and services already procured. No amount should be released in advance in last month with exception of the loans or advances to the Government servants as per service conditions or on compassionate ground and disaster victims as a measure of relief and rehabilitation,” the order said.
The Finance Department ordered imposition of 10 percent economy cut on the budget allocation for OE, LTC, telephone, POL, advertisements, publicity, hospitality and sumptuary activities.
“There shall be complete ban on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels. Government buildings/halls should be utilized for such functions,” the order said, adding that utmost economy shall be observed in organizing conferences/seminars/workshops while holding such functions outside J&K be strongly discouraged.
A 10 percent economy cut has also been imposed on budget allocation for conduct of camps, conferences and seminar.
The Finance Department ordered that purchase of new vehicles should be strictly discouraged. Exceptional cases for meeting critical operational requirement shall be permitted with 20 percent reduction against condemnation as a replacement measures and with the concurrence of the Finance Department.
Another 10 percent economy cut has been imposed on travel expenses budget allocation for the ongoing financial year.
The order barred international travel by the officers without specific permission of the Finance Department while within the country, the officials have been asked to travel only by economy class regardless of entitlement.
It directed the departments not to purchase furniture except in case of newly established offices with the concurrence of the Finance Department. There will also be complete ban on holding of official dinners and lunches except those hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister or with specific approval of the CM.
“No new post shall be created. Filing of regular posts may be undertaken only through JKSSB/JKPSC routes and with concurrence of the Finance Department. Posts which remained vacant for more than two years should be identified for surrender. Such posts shouldn’t be revived except under rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance from the Finance Department,” the order said.
It added that the local funds available with various departments, Universities, authorities and agencies will be subject to these austerity measures.
It said no fresh financial commitments will be made on items and proposals which are not provided for the approved budget of 2024-25. Any exceptional case will however, be dealt only with approval of the Finance Department.
The order said the Administrative Secretaries shall be responsible for ensuring compliance of the measures.
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