Guwahati: Assam government has announced austerity measures in view of the global energy crisis. Besides curb on purchase of new vehicles the finance department has stated that inter-district movement of CAPF/ Assam Police shall be restricted.
In cases of urgency relating to law and order, prior approval of the Government shall be obtained. The Home & Political Department will issue necessary directives in this regard.
In an executive order, the Finance department stated in the interest of administrative propriety and in view of the national appeal arising from the prevailing crisis in West Asia, the Government considers it necessary to enforce additional measures of fiscal prudence and economy.
“Ban on purchase of new vehicles for the next 6 months. Official vehicle movement within the State to be minimized. Official or private foreign visits by Ministers and Government officials shall remain deferred for the next 6 months, except where such visits are necessitated by national or strategic interests, educational or medical purposes, or visits to immediate family members residing abroad, subject to prior approval of the Chief Minister, Assam."
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It added, “The convoy of the Chief Minister, Ministers and Senior Officials shall be reduced without compromising the prescribed security protocol. All old and obsolete Government vehicles shall be scrapped immediately. The General Administration Department shall issue specific guidelines in this regard. “
The order stated, “Priority shall be given to Electric Vehicles at the time of hiring of vehicles by the Departments. 20% reduction in POL (Petrol, Oil, and Lubricants) expenditure shall be implemented during the current financial year. Large gatherings or physical meetings may be deferred or shifted to virtual mode unless related to essential services. Working lunches, official dinners, cultural functions, lavish hospitality arrangements and entertainment expenses, at the cost of public exchequer, shall be avoided. Non-essential training programmes or exposure visits involving travel may be avoided. International travels, both official and personal, may be deferred and the same will be reviewed after 6 months. Officers who have received prior approval but have not yet undertaken such a journey are encouraged to reconsider their plans.”
The austerity measure stipulated, “Permanent existing buildings, seminar halls, auditoriums should be used for organizing unavoidable Government functions instead of constructing temporary pandals. 10% cut in revenue/ establishment expenditure in current year vis-à-vis FY 2025-26. Exemptions include salaries, pensions, debt repayment and charged expenditure".
It added, “Departments shall ensure timely revision and rationalisation of user charges, licence fees, lease rents and service charges wherever feasible. All Administrative Departments shall take necessary steps to utilize the assets i.e. buildings, community halls etc. constructed under various schemes by developing a mechanism to utilize them commercially and generate revenues for the State. Revenue generating activities should invariably be through the Electronic Government Receipt Accounting System, (e-GRAS) module i.e. online only."
The order asked the departments to carry out energy audits in offices under it to reduce wastage of electricity. Municipal authorities undertake an economy in power consumption by avoiding wasteful usage of streetlights etc. Economy in consumption of Petrol and Diesel for personal works. Promotion of Public transport, Carpooling and EV usage. Transport Department to issue notification regarding incentives to buy EVs by the public at large and to develop public EV charging infrastructure across the State. DoHUA to initiate transition of municipal public transport towards non-fossil fuel alternatives over the next 12 months; Guwahati Municipal Corporation to transition towards a fully green public transport system.
In cases of urgency relating to law and order, prior approval of the Government shall be obtained. The Home & Political Department will issue necessary directives in this regard.
In an executive order, the Finance department stated in the interest of administrative propriety and in view of the national appeal arising from the prevailing crisis in West Asia, the Government considers it necessary to enforce additional measures of fiscal prudence and economy.
“Ban on purchase of new vehicles for the next 6 months. Official vehicle movement within the State to be minimized. Official or private foreign visits by Ministers and Government officials shall remain deferred for the next 6 months, except where such visits are necessitated by national or strategic interests, educational or medical purposes, or visits to immediate family members residing abroad, subject to prior approval of the Chief Minister, Assam."
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It added, “The convoy of the Chief Minister, Ministers and Senior Officials shall be reduced without compromising the prescribed security protocol. All old and obsolete Government vehicles shall be scrapped immediately. The General Administration Department shall issue specific guidelines in this regard. “
The order stated, “Priority shall be given to Electric Vehicles at the time of hiring of vehicles by the Departments. 20% reduction in POL (Petrol, Oil, and Lubricants) expenditure shall be implemented during the current financial year. Large gatherings or physical meetings may be deferred or shifted to virtual mode unless related to essential services. Working lunches, official dinners, cultural functions, lavish hospitality arrangements and entertainment expenses, at the cost of public exchequer, shall be avoided. Non-essential training programmes or exposure visits involving travel may be avoided. International travels, both official and personal, may be deferred and the same will be reviewed after 6 months. Officers who have received prior approval but have not yet undertaken such a journey are encouraged to reconsider their plans.”
The austerity measure stipulated, “Permanent existing buildings, seminar halls, auditoriums should be used for organizing unavoidable Government functions instead of constructing temporary pandals. 10% cut in revenue/ establishment expenditure in current year vis-à-vis FY 2025-26. Exemptions include salaries, pensions, debt repayment and charged expenditure".
It added, “Departments shall ensure timely revision and rationalisation of user charges, licence fees, lease rents and service charges wherever feasible. All Administrative Departments shall take necessary steps to utilize the assets i.e. buildings, community halls etc. constructed under various schemes by developing a mechanism to utilize them commercially and generate revenues for the State. Revenue generating activities should invariably be through the Electronic Government Receipt Accounting System, (e-GRAS) module i.e. online only."
The order asked the departments to carry out energy audits in offices under it to reduce wastage of electricity. Municipal authorities undertake an economy in power consumption by avoiding wasteful usage of streetlights etc. Economy in consumption of Petrol and Diesel for personal works. Promotion of Public transport, Carpooling and EV usage. Transport Department to issue notification regarding incentives to buy EVs by the public at large and to develop public EV charging infrastructure across the State. DoHUA to initiate transition of municipal public transport towards non-fossil fuel alternatives over the next 12 months; Guwahati Municipal Corporation to transition towards a fully green public transport system.
