J&K Govt imposes spending curbs, restricts official events

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced a series of expenditure-control measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, imposing restrictions on official functions, foreign travel, vehicle purchases, creation of new posts, and hiring of office spaces.

In an order issued by the Finance Department, all departments have been directed to implement the measures with immediate effect.

“Utmost economy shall be observed in organising conferences, seminars, workshops, training programmes, and similar events. Such activities shall be undertaken only where necessary and after exploring virtual alternatives,” the order said.

It said holding exhibitions, fairs, seminars, conferences, and workshops outside the Union Territory is strongly discouraged, while meetings and conferences in private hotels and commercial venues have been completely banned.

Government buildings, conference halls, and other available Government infrastructure must invariably be used for such purposes, it added.

The Government also strongly discouraged the purchase of new vehicles, stating that exceptional cases involving critical operational requirements may be considered only with the concurrence of the Finance Department and subject to replacement against condemned vehicles with a 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 optimal utilisation and pooling of available Government vehicles and avoid deployment beyond functional necessity to promote economy in fuel consumption and maintenance expenditure.

The order further imposed a ban on foreign travel unless specific approval is obtained from the Finance Department.

“Departments shall make effective use of video conferencing and virtual platforms for meetings, consultations, and reviews to minimise avoidable travel expenditure. However, within the country, all officers shall travel only by Economy Class irrespective of entitlement if need arises,” it said.

As part of fuel and energy conservation measures, the order said unnecessary use of official vehicles, generators, air-conditioning systems, lighting, and other energy-consuming equipment shall be avoided.

“Offices shall ensure optimum utilisation of transport arrangements and reduction in avoidable movement of official vehicles. Travel within the UT shall be preferred by road or rail for all officers/officials,” it said.

No new office accommodation shall be hired without prior concurrence of the Finance Department and certification by the concerned department regarding non-availability of suitable Government accommodation, it ordered.

The order also stated that no furniture shall be procured except in case of newly established offices and only with the concurrence of the Finance Department.

Advising departments to adopt a digital-first approach in official functioning, the order said physical meetings, printing of bulky documents, physical circulation of files, and avoidable paper consumption shall be minimised through maximum use of e-Office, video conferencing, and digital communication platforms.

The Government also put a complete ban on official dinners, lunches, receptions, and similar hospitality functions except those hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister.

Asserting that no new posts shall be created, the Government said filling up of regular posts shall be undertaken only through the prescribed recruitment agencies and with the concurrence of the Finance Department.

Departments shall identify posts remaining vacant for more than two years for surrender. Such posts shall not ordinarily be revived except under rare and unavoidable circumstances and with prior clearance from the Finance Department, the order added.