Govt on austerity mode, says no to creating new posts

IN A CIRCULAR,

THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

HAS ASKED ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS, PUBLIC ENTERPRISES AND COLLECTORS TO MAINTAIN AUSTERITY IN STATE EXPENDITURE

JAIPUR: Struggling with financial crisis, the state finance department has banned creation of any new posts other other than those made f o r t he e xecuti o n o f announcement in budget or the chief minister.

I n a ci rcular i s s ued, t he finance department has asked all department heads, public enterprises and collectors to maintain austerity in state expenditure.

Additional chief secretary (Finance), Niranjan Arya in a circular states that regulation of state expenditure is required to maintain the continuity of austerity without compromising the working efficiency of the government.

He states that in view of the public financial management it is necessary to maintain the regular pace of government expenditure in the financial year.

The departments should ensure proportionate expenditure of the budget allocation every month as per the respective budget provisions.

In order to maintain the financial discipline and constitutional arrangements in any account head, the additional budget authorisation will only be provided through reappropriation or supplementary demand.

“In case of any immediate or unavoidable situation, approval from a capable officer as per the budget guidelines should be taken,” he said.

Expenditure from central assistance and state head should be done only when funds are received from GOI for schemes run on central assistance.

Arya said there will be ban on creation of new posts, other than those made for the execution of announcement in budget or the chief minister.

For the appointment on new, upgraded and vacant posts, prior approval i s required from finance and personnel department, following the Rajasthan (Regulation of Appointments to Public Services and Rationalisation of Staff) Act, 1999.

He said for government buildings (expansion and renovation), guidelines of Public Works Department (PWD) will be followed.

For others constructions works of departments such as Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), PWD, Water Resources, Irrigation, IGNP, forest etc – austerity will be maintained and issue guidelines at their level.

The circular will be applicable on government enterprises, companies, boards, all universities, aided institutions, councils and institutions, which are partially or completely depended on the government.

However, it will not be applicable on Governor’s secretariat, High Court, State Election Commission, state assembly and Rajasthan Public Service Commission.

“For urgent cases, relaxation can be provided on chief minister’s approval through finance department,” he said.