Offices asked to take austerity measures
The circular will come into effect from Wednesday.
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By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
Finance ministry on Tuesday asked state agencies to cut costs and not create new posts without its approval.
The finance ministry, in its finance circular issued on Tuesday, said that it has been directed to take steps to implement the budget and improve the expenditure as per the vision prepared in the budget for the current fiscal.
The circular, signed by finance minister Ibrahim Ameer, asks employees to reduce travel expenses and office operation expenses.
The measures include:
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No new posts should be created without the approval of the finance ministry
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Not to change the pay structure without approval from the finance ministry, and after it has been evaluated
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If disbursement of allowances included in the budget have not started yet, they should not be started without the approval of the ministry
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Unless approved by the finance ministry, should not proceed with activities that may alter the rank of office and salary and allowances such as promotion of employees
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To plan the work of the offices so that the work can be completed in the official hours
Offices have also been asked to seek permission from the finance ministry before making official trips abroad, including those for study tours and training programmes. At the same time, the circular also directed that no additional new scholarships should be offered outside the national scholarship schemes.
The circular, which came into effect on Wednesday, also asks offices to follow the provisions of the circular while utilising block grants and revenue receipts to councils.
The cost has been ordered to be reduced, but the parliament approved a budget of MVR 42.8 billion for the current fiscal year. Thus:
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Revenue is estimated at MVR 32.1 billion
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Budget deficit is likely to be MVR 8.6 billion
