Finance Department rolls out austerity measures to cut down on expenditure

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 25: The State Government today rolled out a slew of measures to promote fiscal discipline in the administration.

"Utmost economy shall be observed in organizing conference, seminars, workshop by the Government Departments and only such conferences, seminars, workshops etc which are absolutely essential should be held," said a circular issued by the Principal Secretary Finance, Navin Kumar Choudhary. 

It said holding of exhibitions, fairs, seminars and conferences outside the state should be strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibition for tourism or handicrafts promotion.

"There will be ban on holding meetings and conferences at private hotels and government buildings/premises would be instead utilized for the same," the circular said adding that the purchase of new vehicles to meet the operational requirement is permitted, "but only against condemnation as a replacement measure and with prior concurrence of the Finance Department."

According to the circular the travel expenditure should be regulated so as to ensure that each department remains within the allocated budget for the same. "Re-appropriation /augmentation proposals on this account will not be entertained." 

"The state government officers should travel only by economy class within the country regardless of entitlement and in all cases of air travel, the lowest air fare ticket available for entitled class is to be purchased / procured."

Facility of video-conferencing should be used effectively and travel for the purpose of attending meeting should be avoided to the extent possible.

No fresh financial commitments will be made on items which are not provided for in the approved budget.