Ker govt announces austerity measures

Curbs on foreign travel by officials, creation of new posts and purchase of new vehicles are among a string of austerity measures unveiled by the LDF government in Kerala as part of efforts to ensure fiscal discipline.

As per a government order issued on April 17, there would be restrictions on sanctioning of new grant-in-aid institutions and limit on phone bills reimbursement as part of the measures to check expenditure and strengthen the state's fiscal situation. "" It was made clear that foreign travel without prior permission of the government would not be allowed at any cost.

The CPI-M-led government had announced the restrictions in its 2018-19 budget in February last.

Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has been saying that Kerala as well as the nation was in the grip of a fiscal crisis in view of the demonetisation of high value currency and implementation of Goods and Services Tax.

As per the G.O, new posts can be created only after conducting necessary study and the possibility of re-deployment also should be explored to resolve the issue, the order said.

"" On new vehicles, the order said it can be purchased only for department heads, police, law enforcing agencies and chairpersons of civic bodies.

"" New grant-in-aid institutions can be sanctioned only after conducting detailed study.

"" Officials of various departments, state-run agencies and universities should reduce foreign travel to the maximum, the G.O said, adding video conferencing facilities should be tapped.

"" In view of fall in mobile phone tariff, the order wanted government employees to use cell phones rather than landline and fix Rs 440 as the reimbursement charge for those who have pre-paid mobile connections.

"" In the case of heads of departments, the official mobile phone connection charge has been re-fixed at Rs 1,000 from the present Rs 1,500, the order added.