Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa government has announced stringent measures to rationalise expenditure for the final three months of the financial year 2024-25.
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An order issued by Pranab G. Bhat, Under Secretary in the Finance (Revenue and Control) Department, mandates a 25% reduction in the budgetary revenue expenditure for each department, excluding interest payments, debt repayments, and payments for salaries and pensions.
For the remaining quarters of the 2024-25 financial year, the government has set a cap, stipulating that no more than 20% of the budgetary estimates may be spent, except for flagship government schemes. In some cases, this allocation may be reduced by as much as 40% until the end of the financial year, according to the order.
“There shall be a ban on creation and upgradation of posts in all departments/autonomous bodies/corporations of the government until further orders,” the order added.
The Directorate of Accounts has been instructed to ensure that expenditure under each demand for grants does not exceed the prescribed limits unless specifically authorised by the Finance (F&C) Department.
The order stipulates that departments must ensure that payments for goods and services procured in January and March 2025 are only made for items purchased in the preceding months, with no new procurements allowed for those periods.
“The measures to rationalise expenditure aim to reduce unnecessary revenue outlay while redirecting funds towards development activities under the capital account, as well as to provide for the payment of revised pay scales and arrears,” the order explained. It further stated, “The Finance Department encourages all departments to surrender any savings under the Revenue Account by making a careful assessment of their needs.”
