DD Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): In a bid to enforce fiscal discipline and enhance financial management, the Jammu and Kashmir government has rolled out a comprehensive set of austerity measures for the financial year 2024-25. The measures aim to curtail unnecessary expenditures, optimize resource allocation, and ensure public funds are spent on priority areas and essential services.
The government has issued detailed guidelines for departments, focusing on curbing wasteful expenses and promoting efficiency across all sectors.
Departments have been directed to limit revenue expenditure in the final quarter of the financial year to 30% of the total budget allocation, with an additional restriction of only 15% spending permitted in March. This step seeks to prevent last-minute spending sprees that often lead to financial mismanagement.
Further, a 10% reduction has been enforced in operational costs, including office expenses, telephone charges, fuel, travel, hospitality, advertisements, and publicity.
The government has imposed strict restrictions on official functions, banning official dinners and lunches unless explicitly approved by the Lieutenant Governor or Chief Minister. Events such as seminars, conferences, and workshops must now be conducted with utmost economy, preferably using government facilities.
Moreover, organizing events outside J&K has been strongly discouraged, and private hotels cannot be used for official meetings.
The purchase of new vehicles and furniture has been heavily restricted. New vehicles will only be procured in exceptional cases with a mandatory 20% cost reduction and prior approval from the Finance Department. Similarly, new furniture will only be sanctioned for newly established offices, with old furniture to be auctioned off instead of replaced.
In a major move to reduce travel-related expenses, the government has made economy-class travel mandatory for all domestic trips, regardless of entitlement. International travel will now require prior approval from the Finance Department. Departments have also been advised to rely on video conferencing to minimize travel costs.
No new government posts will be created under the new measures, and vacancies will only be filled through the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) or the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) with Finance Department approval. Posts lying vacant for more than two years will be surrendered unless deemed critical by the Finance Department.
Administrative Secretaries have been tasked with ensuring the implementation of these measures, while Directors of Finance will closely monitor compliance and submit regular reports to the Finance Department. Non-compliance will attract administrative scrutiny and possible penalties.
A government spokesperson emphasized that these measures are aimed at promoting fiscal prudence, reducing wasteful expenditures, and ensuring that resources are directed toward essential projects and public welfare initiatives.
The move has been welcomed by financial experts, who see it as a step toward creating a sustainable fiscal framework in the Union Territory. However, some quarters have raised concerns about the potential impact on job creation and development activities.
The government remains committed to balancing austerity with development needs, ensuring that public funds are used judiciously for the overall welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. (DD)