Andhra Pradesh curbs splurging of departments

Hyderabad: The cash-strapped Andhra Pradesh government has discouraged holding of conferences at five star hotels as a part of austerity measures. It has issued orders on Monday to be followed by all departments.

• All the departments are advised to observe economy in expenditure in holding conferences, seminars, and meetings. Holding of meetings and conferences in five star hotels at state cost should be avoided, except when absolutely necessary.
• All ministers, other dignitaries of Cabinet rank and officials drawing salary of Rs 80,000 (fixed) only are permitted to travel by air in business class as per eligibility.
• No foreign visits at the cost of state exchequer will be allowed.
• The expenditure on advertisements directly by the departments shall be limited to the barest minimum and shall be paid from the budget provision of the concerned departments.
• No proposal for abolition of existing revenue stream or concession of any kind which result in reduction of revenues shall be entertained.
• Ban on purchasing new vehicles. All the departments are advised to examine the necessity of continuing the number of hired vehicles already permitted and to reduce them to the barest minimum.
• No further sanction of outsourcing of support staff shall be proposed by the departments except when absolutely necessary.

The government warned that any failure of the departments to implement the instructions on economy measures will affect the budget of the department, Any relaxation of the instructions invariably requires the approval of Chief Minister. The orders on economy measures are also applicable to the panchayat raj institutions, all local bodies including municipalities and municipal corporations.