Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Sep 24: To promote fiscal discipline, Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed officials to avoid unnecessary expenditure in functioning of departments.
Government has issued instructions in view of the liabilities of various departments as bureaucrats and ministers had spent crores of rupees “unnecessarily” over the years thus putting a huge burden on the state exchequer.
The Finance Department Jammu and Kashmir has asked administrative secretaries to adhere to its instructions for promotion of fiscal discipline and to ensure a balanced pace of expenditure.
A senior official of the Finance Department said that departments have been directed to observe utmost economy in organizing conferences, seminars and workshops.
The departmental heads have been instructed that only conferences, workshops and seminars shall be held which are ‘absolutely essential’.
“Holding of exhibitions, fairs, seminars, conferences outside J&K is strongly discouraged except in the case of exhibition for tourism or handicraft promotion. Government has also put a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at private hotels instead government buildings and premises should be utilized for the same. Purchase of new vehicles to meet the operational requirement is permitted, but only against condemnation as a replacement measure,” the official quoting government’s directives to departments.
Further the officials have been directed to travel only by economy class regardless of entitlement within the country.
The departments have been told that the facility of video conferencing must be used effectively and travel for the purpose of attending meetings should be avoided to the extent possible.
“In all cases of air travel, the lowest air fare ticket available for entitled class is to be purchased/ procured,” the official said, with the government having directed the departments.
“The Finance Department has issued these instructions as most of the heads of departments have spent crores on travel within and outside the country. The functioning of several departments has been affected for want of funds due to unnecessary expenses by several bureaucrats and politicians,” the official said.
The Finance Department has said that no fresh financial commitments will be made on items which are not provided in the approved budget.
