Economy of austerity - ministral spending to decrease for fiscal year 2011

(posted under - politics of austerity, finance ministry updates) - The Finance Ministry in the Budget Circular for 2010-11 said, "The estimates (RE 2009-10) must confirm to instructions, which stipulate a 10 per cent and five per cent cut in non-plan, non-salary expenditure and other economy measures."

For the next fiscal, the circular added, "It is necessary to review the existing expenditure budget to priorities the activities and schemes, both on the plan and non-plan side and identify those activities and schemes, which can be eliminated or reduced in size or merged with any other scheme."


As part of its economic drive, the Finance Ministry, earlier in the month, advised ministries and departments to cut by 10 per cent expenditure on travel, seminars, exhibitions and other office expenses. In case of other non- plan expenditure, the they were asked to reduce expenses by five per cent.

The austerity move also includes complete ban on holding conferences in five star hotels.

These measures were announced as the Centre faces increasing burden on its exchequer following economic downturn and drought.

"There was further need for economy and rationalisation of expenditure in view of the current fiscal situation and that arising out of insufficient rains in large parts of the country and consequent pressure on government resources," the Finance Ministry had said earlier this month.

The Budget circular asked all ministries and departments to ensure that all schemes that have been discontinued, do not find mention in revised estimates for 2009-10.

source - economictimes