J&K admn rolls out austerity measures for rationalisation of expenditure

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, January 15

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has rolled out austerity measures for officials and departments under which holding of seminars, conference, purchase of vehicles has been discouraged while domestic and international travel has been regulated.

The administration ordered sanction for rationalisation of expenditure for fiscal prudence and economy during the current financial year. As per an order, during the last quarter of the current financial year, the revenue expenditure will be limited to 30 percent of revised budget allocation and in month of March, the expenditure will be limited to 15 percent of the allocation.

Cut in expenses

• Departments asked to observe economy in organising conferences, seminars, fairs, exhibitions
• Holding of seminars and conference outside UT is discouraged
• International travel banned without specific permission
• Depts asked to use facility of video conferencing
• Purchase of new vehicles strictly discouraged
• No furniture to be procured except for new offices
• No new posts to be created during the period

The order issued by Santosh D Vaidya, Principal Secretary of Finance Department, J&K, clearly stated 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.

“Utmost economy shall be observed in organising conferences seminars/workshops. Holding of exhibitions/ fairs/ seminars/ conferences outside J&K is strongly discouraged,” the administration has directed.

A ban has also been imposed on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels. The departments have been asked to use government buildings and halls to hold such conferences.

Purchase of new vehicles is also strictly discouraged under the ruled. “Exceptional cases for meeting critical operational requirement shall be permitted with 20% reduction against condemnation as a replacement measure and with the concurrence of Finance Department,” the order stated. The departments have been asked to auction already condemned vehicles and the amount earned to be deposited as miscellaneous revenue before submitting such proposal.

Domestic and international travel expenditure has been asked to be regulated so as to ensure that each department remains within the revised allocated budget. International travel will not be allowed without specific permission from the Finance Department. “Within the country, the officers 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,” the order stated.

The departments have also been asked not to procure any new furniture except in case of newly established offices with the permission of Finance Department. “The old dilapidated furniture shall be auctioned and auction proceeds deposited as miscellaneous revenue,” the order read.

In another major decision, no new posts will be created during the period. “Filling of regular posts may be undertaken only through JKSSB/JKPSC routes and with concurrence of Finance Department. Posts that have remained vacant for more than two years should be identified for surrender. Such posts should not be revived except under rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance from the Finance Department,” the government has ordered.