950827

Ban on new jobs; check on travel, entertainments

Govt issues directions

for strict fiscal regime

TANVIR ZAHID

LAHORE: Federal government, through the Finance Division, has notified 15 economy measures, including ban on supplementary grant, on creation of new jobs and on printing of calendars and diaries and greeting cards, and curtailed official travel for ensuring effective financial management during fiscal 1995-96.

The instructions, which are invariably issued every year at the commencement of the new financial year but seldom implemented at almost all levels in the country, are also applicable to all departments, organizations, autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies/corporations under the administrative and financial control of the federal government.

Every Ministry/Division of the federal government has been asked to designate an official of the level of a Joint Secretary to keep vigil and ensure compliance with these instructions.

These instructions, which were still in the process of being communicated to the quarters concerned at various levels, pertained to 'ban on supplementary grant', re-appropriation, lumpsum grants, durable goods, creation of posts, participation in workshops and seminars, training abroad, printing and publication, travel, stationary contingent paid staff, entertainment, utilities and communication, staff cars, and vehicles, medical charges and grant of honorarium.

According to these instructions, made available to Business Recorder in Lahore on Sunday by official sources in Islamabad:

- No Supplementary Grants will be allowed.

- Re-appropriation from establishhment charges, utilities, communication and rent will not be allowed. Re-appropriation for travelling allowance, entertainments and gifts is banned. Ministries/Divisions may exercise powers for other re-appropriation withhin the same major object up to Rs 50,000 subject to the condition that no additional funds are required for any shortfall in the object from where re-appropriation is being made and observance of normal instructions as laid down under the "Revised System of Financial Control and Budgeting". This will, however, not be applicable to autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies/corporations.

- Lumpsum provisions will be allowed to be utilized only in the exceptional circumstances, with the prior approval of the Finance Division at the level of Additional Finance/Secretary (Budget and Expenditure).

- Creation of new posts is banned, except those required for development projects and approved by the competent authority. The incumbents for such posts may preferably be drawn from government on transfer/deputation.

- Purchase of durable goods including vehicles of all types, machinery and equipment and furniture and fixtures can be allowed only in rare cases. Ministries/Divisions/Departments may meet their needs from the available goods. To facilitate smooth functioning, repair and maintenance of durable goods will be done. This restriction will not be applicable for development projects and autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies under the Federal Government.

- Participation in workshops/seminars and training abroad involving federal government funds will be considered in very special cases and on a restricted basis.

- Printing of calendars, diaries and greeting cards is banned. Special supplements in newspapers will not be sponsored without prior approval of the Finance Division.

- Official travel will be curtailed so that expenditure remains within sanctioned budget grant for travelling allowance (TA).

- Consumption of stationery will be economized. Both sides of the paper should invariably be used, except for summaries for the President, the Prime Minister, Cabinet and ECC & Economy slips should be used to ensure repeated use of envelops.

- No contingent paid staff will be appointed without prior approval of Finance Division.

ENTERTAINMENT

- No expenditure on entertainment (lunch and dinner) will be incurred without the approval of the Principal Accounting Officer. The number of guests invited to official dinners/lunches should be restricted and approved by the Principal Accounting Officer. The financial ceilings fixed for official lunches, dinners, receptions, lunch/dinner boxes and light refreshments must be adhered to. No cases for regularization of excess expenditure will be entertained in Finance Division except with the approval of the Principal Accounting Officer.

- The expenditure on telephone beyond entitlement will not be allowed. Consumption of energy (electric power and gas) will be reduced at least by 10 percent by adopting austerity measures. Incandescent lamps may be replaced by flourescent tubeligts/bulbs.

STAFF CARS

- The number of staff cars will be reduced to the minimum. Steps will be taken for control of expenditure on operation and maintenance. No additional funds will be provided for fuel consumption. No official vehicles will be unauthorisedly kept at residence. Staff cars/vehicles will be parked at the specified garage/parking place.

- The expenditure on medical charges will be kept to the budgeted level. No additional funds will be allowed for this purpose. A register will be maintained in which the amounts paid to individual employee each month will be entered to check the claim.

- No expenditure will be incurred on grant of honorarium without prior approval of Finance Division.