In a bid to check the procurement of expensive machines and vehicles by departments, the Arvind Kejriwal Government has put a cap on the purchase of expensive photocopiers, scanners and vehicles in the national Capital.
The decision was reportedly taken after the Government received about over two dozen proposals from various departments in this connection from its various wings in the recent past.
An order to this effect issued by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Finance Department would consider only such proposals which were personally certified by the concerned Administrative Secretary that the specifications for the proposed purchases were absolutely essential and they indeed proposed to buy the cheapest model available.
The order stated, “It has been seen that towards the end of the financial year many departments have proposed to procure expensive photocopiers, scanners, vehicles etc… Mere endorsement of junior officer’s note will not be considered for concurrence by the Finance Department. The Administrative Secretary need to give his/ her recommendation categorically.”
When asked, a senior official of the Delhi Government said the Finance Department has returned several proposals of various departments who had sought expensive vehicles, photocopiers and other items. “In case, one Department has sought a photocopier which cost Rs 2.50 lakh for office purposes,” said official.
The AAP Government’s order has come in wake of the instructions from the Centre directing State administrations to avoid rush of expenditure on procurements during the last quarter of the fiscal year and in particular the last month of the year so as to ensure that all procedures are complied with and there is no in fructuous or wasteful expenditure.
The Centre had made it clear that no fresh financial commitments should be made on items which were not provided for in the approved Budget. It said the instructions would be applicable to the autonomous bodies as well.
Also, the Centre had asked the State Governments to furnish monthly returns of plan expenditure — Central, Centrally sponsored or State plan - to respective Ministries or departments along with a report on amounts outstanding in their Public Account. The Centre had also directed the Chief Controller of Accounts to ensure compliance of its directives as part of its pre-payment scrutiny.
Earlier in a office memorandum, the Centre had put a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at five star hotels. The memorandum said, “Utmost economy shall be observed in organising conferences, seminars and workshops. Only such conferences, workshops, seminars etc which are absolutely essential should be held wherein also a 10 per cent cut on budgetary allocations shall be effected… Purchase of vehicles is banned until further orders, except against condemned vehicles.”