Government remembers ‘austerity’ measures
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government Wednesday announced a slew of austerity measures including a complete ban on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels for ensuring ‘fiscal discipline’.
The instructions have been ordered to be complied with by all the government departments as well as bodies funded it.
“Utmost economy shall be observed in organizing Conferences, seminars and workshops. Only such conferences, seminars, workshops which are absolutely essential should be held,” a government circular issued today said.
“Holding of exhibitions, fairs, seminars, conferences outside the State should be strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibition for tourism or handicrafts promotion,” it added.
“There will be a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels. Government buildings, premises would be utilized instead,” the circular advised the officers.
The circular also puts a rider on the purchase of new vehicles.
“Purchase of new vehicles to meet the operational requirement has been permitted only against condemnation as a replacement measure and with prior concurrence of the Finance Department,” the circular adds.
In another measure, travel expenditure has been regulated so as to ensure that each Department remains within the allocated budget for the same.
“Re-appropriation or augmentation proposals on this account will not be entertained,” the government said in an order issued here.
The officers should travel only by economy class within the country regardless of entitlement, it said further.
“In all cases of air travel, the lowest air fare ticket available for entitled class is to be purchased or procured,” the circular added.
“In penultimate measure, the government has ordered that facility of Video Conferencing may be used effectively and travel for the purpose of attending meetings should be avoided to the extent possible.”
Lastly, it said no fresh financial commitments will be made on items which are not provided for in the approved Budget.
KV Correspondent
