No new posts to be created without FD nod
*Bans lavish official functions, foreign travel
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, May 23: In a major austerity drive aimed at enforcing fiscal discipline and reducing non-essential expenditure, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced a comprehensive set of expenditure-control measures, imposing strict restrictions on official functions, foreign travel, purchase of vehicles, creation of new posts and hiring of office accommodation.
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The directions were issued by the Finance Department (FD) through an official order directing all departments, public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, universities and Government agencies to implement the measures with immediate effect.
As part of the economy measures, the Government said “utmost economy” must be observed while organizing conferences, seminars, workshops and training programmes. Such activities, the order stated, should be conducted only when absolutely necessary and after exploring virtual alternatives.
The Government has strongly discouraged holding exhibitions, fairs, conferences and workshops outside the Union Territory. It has also imposed a complete ban on organizing official meetings and conferences in private hotels and commercial venues.
“All departments shall invariably use Government buildings, conference halls and other available Government infrastructure for official events,” the order stated.
In another significant measure, the Government has imposed strict restrictions on the purchase of new vehicles. Procurement will be permitted only in exceptional cases involving critical operational requirements and that too with prior concurrence of the Finance Department.
The order further stated that replacement of vehicles shall be allowed only against condemned vehicles and subject to a mandatory 20 per cent reduction in fleet strength.
“Departments shall ensure that condemned vehicles are auctioned and the auction proceeds deposited as Miscellaneous Revenue before submission of any proposal for replacement vehicles,” the order said.
Departments have also been directed to ensure optimum utilization and pooling of available Government vehicles while avoiding deployment beyond functional necessity to reduce fuel consumption and maintenance expenditure.
The Government has also imposed a ban on foreign travel by officers and officials unless prior approval is obtained from the Finance Department.
To cut travel expenditure, departments have been advised to make extensive use of video conferencing and virtual platforms for meetings, consultations and reviews. The order further stated that all officers travelling within the country shall travel only by economy class irrespective of entitlement.
Emphasizing energy conservation, the Government directed offices to avoid unnecessary use of official vehicles, generators, air-conditioning systems, lighting and other energy-consuming equipment. “Travel within the UT shall be preferred by road or rail for all officers and officials,” the order stated.
The Finance Department has also imposed restrictions on hiring office accommodation, directing that no new office space shall be hired without prior concurrence of the department and certification regarding non-availability of suitable Government accommodation.
Similarly, procurement of furniture has also been restricted except in the case of newly established offices and only after obtaining Finance Department approval.
Calling for a “digital-first” approach in official functioning, the Government directed departments to minimize physical meetings, printing of bulky documents, physical circulation of files and avoidable paper consumption through maximum use of e-Office systems and digital communication platforms.
The Government has also announced a complete ban on official dinners, lunches, receptions and similar hospitality functions except those hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister.
In a major administrative reform measure, the Government said no new posts shall be created by any department. Filling up of regular posts shall be undertaken only through prescribed recruitment agencies and with concurrence of the Finance Department.
Departments have also been directed to identify posts lying vacant for more than two years for surrender. Such posts shall not ordinarily be revived except in rare and unavoidable circumstances and with prior clearance from the Finance Department.
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