Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Wednesday, 27 April 2022 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Finance Ministry yesterday issued a circular to heads of all state sector organisations with strict instructions to control expenditure as the economy reached a highly critical juncture.
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| Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana |
Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana said in the circular public expenditure needs to be strictly controlled with funds made available only for the most essential services until the situation improves.
In addition to several cutbacks that had been put in place after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Finance Ministry gave instructions for controlling expenditure by the state sector.
This includes the suspension of projects including ongoing infrastructure projects, procurements of works or goods for both ongoing projects including those covered by the 2022 Budget.
The Ministry also instructed that deferment of new recruitments including those for which primary arrangements had been made, discontinuation of payment of allowances, welfare programs, development assistance and subsidies which have not been approved by the cabinet.
Other measures include suspension of loan facilities granted to staff grade officers under the Public Officers Advance Accounts until the end of the year.
The Finance Ministry has also instructed cutbacks on the use of stationery and printing by using electronic methods as far as possible in order to communicate among government institutions and called for a review of all welfare and subsidy programmers and limiting them to low-income people and benefices who genuinely require such benefits. The use of vehicles and fuel allowances too have been restricted.
The circular was sent to all Secretaries to Ministries and State Ministers, Chief Secretaries of Provincial Councils, Heads of Departments/District Secretaries and Heads of State Corporations and Statutory Boards.
