J&K administration announces austerity measures

Srinagar, Dec 06 : In a significant development, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir on Monday unveiled a slew of austerity measures to promote financial discipline and to curb expenditure.

The Finance today, according to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), ordered 10 percent cut on office expenses (OE), leave travel concession (LTC), telephone, petrol(PoL), research & survey, hospitality & sumptuary out of the budget estimates of the ongoing financial year.

It has also ordered 10 percent economy cut on camps and seminars out of the budget estimates 2021-22

The department has also imposed 10 percent 10% economy cut on the travel expenses out of the budget estimates of 2021-22.

The Finance department has also directed officers that utmost economy shall be observed in organizing conferences/ seminars/ workshops. “Only such conferences, workshops seminars, etc. which are absolutely necessary, should be held,” reads an order, a copy of which is lying with KNO.

The government also said that holding of exhibitions/ fairs/ seminars/ conferences outside J&K is strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibition for tourism/art & craft/investment promotion. “There shall be complete ban on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels. Government buildings/ Premises should be utilized for holding of meetings and conferences instead,” reads the order.

The Finance department has also ordered that “purchase of new vehicles to meet the operational requirement is permitted, but only against condemnation as a replacement measure”.

The department has also directed officers that “travel expenditure should be regulated so as to ensure that each department remains within the allocated budget”.

“International travel shall not be allowed unless specific permission is granted by the Finance Department,” reads the order

The officers have been directed that should travel only by economy class regardless of entitlement.

“Facility of video conferencing may be used effectively and travel for the purpose of attending meetings should be avoided to the extent possible,” reads the order.

“In all cases of air travel, the lowest air fare ticket available for entitled class shall be availed,” it further.

The government has also imposed ban on purchase of furniture for government offices. “No furniture shall be procured out of the available funds except in the case of newly established offices with the concurrence of the Finance department,” reads the order.

The government has also imposed ban on official lunches and dinners, except those hosted by the Chief Secretary or Honourable Governor or with the approval of Honourable Governor.

It has also directed that during the last quarter of the current financial year, the expenditure should be limited to 30% of budget allocation and in the month of March, the expenditure should be limited to 10 % of the budget estimates—(KNO)