Hyderabad: Collectors, heads of department and regional officers will get more financial powers to make crucial payments without depending on the finance department for funds. This is part of the government’s proposed administrative reforms.
The ceiling of financial powers to these authorities were decided about 15 years ago. For visits of legislators and officials, the ceiling for the district administration is Rs 5,000. The visit of the Chief Minister costs the district administration a few lakhs.
The ceiling for payments for refreshments during visits of officials is Rs 500 per month, and Rs 200 for ‘light refreshments’.
Given this, the officials have to depend on the finance department for funds. Some officers told the government that costs had increased in the decade and a half since the last revision, and that the expenditure limits needed to be increased.
The government has decided now to enhance the cost of various items and to delegate more financial powers to collectors, heads of department and regional officers. The government has constituted a committee under Special Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi to make suitable recommendations.
