The Punjab government has issued a new “austerity policy” for this financial year banning tours abroad by parliamentarians at government expense and the purchase of cars and other goods.
Exceptions to the policy can be authorised by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, or in the case of small purchases, an austerity committee headed by the finance minister, an official told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.
Under the new policy, visits abroad by ministers, MPAs and government officials at state expense will not be allowed, unless special approval is granted by the chief minister. The ministers would travel in a class one level below their entitlement.
On domestic flights, the parliamentarians and officers would travel in economy class only. The purchase of new and imported vehicles with funds from the current and development budgets has been banned. In exceptional cases, a car can be bought with the approval of the austerity committee and subsequently the chief minister.
For the purchase of ambulances and buses or other vehicles for schools, the departments concerned can bypass the committee and apply for permission directly to the chief minister.
Government departments have been directed not to seek supplementary grants. Any such request exceeding Rs3 million would require the chief minister’s approval. All departments have been told to prepare special plans to save on telephone, electricity and gas bills, and to be prudent in the use of official vehicles so that they do not exceed the petrol ceiling.
The holding of official events at hotels has also been banned. The chief minister can approve funds for an official function in a hotel, say for a delegation from a foreign state, but only tea and biscuits would be served.
No staff appointments from contingency funds will be allowed without the Finance Department’s approval. The refurbishment or interior decoration of offices, setting up of new offices, and the purchase of furniture, fixtures and office equipment has also been prohibited.
The ban does not cover medical equipment to be purchased by the Health Department and its allied institutions, or the purchase of equipment needed in connection with water supply, sewerage, solid wastage management, fire fighting, street-lights, de-watering sets and fogging machines. School furniture worth up to Rs500,000 can be bought through the respective school councils.
The policy also calls on departments to minimise spending on advertisements. This would be achieved by “avoiding unnecessary advertisements and rationalisation of the size and frequency of the essential advertisements”.
The new guidelines apply to “all departments, attached departments, divisional commissioners, district coordination officers, registrar of the Lahore High Court and inspector general of police”.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2011.
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Yet another committee, I believe all these austerity measure seem to be pretty much the requirement of the day. The true spirit will be reflected by analysing the will exhibited in the enforcement of these measures. Tens of times such cosmetic measures have been announced but those are no more than a news item, let us hope that this time it is backed with real will to enforce these measures. Good luck Mian Sahib.
When I read this, my first thought was, "This is a policy the US government should consider and implement." My next thought was, "Only in my dreams!" My hat is off to CM Shahbaz Sharif and the people of Punjab. I can only fervently hope it lays a foundation for economic stability and in turn sets an example for other countries to follow.
Finally some good news. Let's hope its true.
Now can we please tackle total overspending by Armed Forces and ISI who eat into the budget like a fat child eating cake?
Do any of you know how many times we have been through this before?
Its Great news but, if implemented
cant we pakistani's be happy with anything..? if something bad is happening.. we say when will something good happen when something good happen...you all start taking out negative points out of nowhere..!
and next elections are still 2 years away... for God's sake appreciate something!!!
After more than 100 billion over draft by the Punjab Government is nothing more than a clever effort of befooling the emotional people of Punjab . There are , as has been reported in the press , seven chief minister houses in Lahore , being maintained at state expense . A huge amount of 85 million has allocated in the Punjab budget and being released for LeT , a banned organisation , operating with new name of Jamaatudawa . The so called program of austerity will end in futility .
On the face of it, looks wonderful. But I honestly think that there are many ways this will be twisted because for everything literally, they need chief minister's approval. So, question is what will CM do with all those requests from his close aides?
lets see mere rhetoric to win appeal or some substance as well.
Exceptional cases with approval of Khadim E Ala , to create new cadre of officers loyal To Khadim E ala.
if one recal this is not the first time this GIMMICK is played out.
after 3 long years?!! Clearly an election stunt ...complete rubbish!! . *tea and biscuits anyone?
Good Omen of things to come. Hope all provinces follow suit. Forget who is doing it. Just see the benefits for our poor country AND JUST DO IT !!!!!
@hamza: Why the hell u people put chief justice in everything. People cast their votes to these people sitting Assemblies not Chief justice. These are lawmakers they can do it. We talk much of Democracy but dont really understand the meaning of it
After 3 years ! 3 long years!! Nothing more than an re-election stunt. Complete rubbish!!
tea and biscuits anyone?Under the new policy, visits abroad by ministers, MPAs and government officials at state expense will not be allowed, unless special approval is granted by the chief minister.
In exceptional cases, a car can be bought with the approval of the austerity committee and subsequently the chief minister.
The chief minister can approve funds for an official function in a hotel, say for a delegation from a foreign state, but only tea and biscuits would be served.
Ah, fool the people, these are cosmetic changes, There is a catch " Chief Mnister's approval"
Enjoy till the going is good.
Exellent Step MIAN SAAB.Please told Something also to Nawaz Sharif Saab...
if this is done in the sake of votes, sympathy of punjabis and election campaigns then i would call it fraud unless until the approval goes from chief justice Of Pakistan not just chief minister’s approval.....
but at the same time its a good sign if its really works and other 3 provinces should follow!
RESPECT!! WOULD B A LITTLE MORE LIKELY TO PAY TAX NOW