Staff Reporter
Panaji
The state government has implemented financial restrictions on all departments for the final quarter of the current financial year, from January to March 31, 2025. The move aims to curb unnecessary revenue expenditure, allocate funds for development activities, and ensure provisions for paying revised salaries and arrears.
An office memorandum issued by the Under Secretary (Finance) on Tuesday stated that every department must effect a 25% reduction in budgetary revenue expenditure, excluding interest payments, debt repayments, salaries, and pensions. Additionally, departments are restricted from spending more than 20% of their budgetary estimate during the last quarter, except for flagship government schemes.
The finance department also directed departments to explore reducing expenditures by up to 40% wherever feasible. A ban has been placed on creating new posts in all departments, autonomous bodies, and corporations until further notice. The government has prohibited the purchase of furniture, electrical and electronic appliances, fixtures etc.
office vehicles, and other items until March 31, 2025. Departments requiring these items must obtain prior approval from the finance department.
The directive also instructs the accounts department not to process bills for purchases made during the ban period unless pre-approved.