Move aims to enforce fiscal discipline, reduce non-essential expenditure and promote digital-first governance across departments
Srinagar, May 23 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has imposed a series of stringent austerity and expenditure rationalization measures for the financial year 2026-27, directing all departments and government institutions to strictly curtail non-essential spending and adopt prudent financial management practices with immediate effect.
According to Government Order No. 198-F of 2026 dated May 22, issued by the Finance Department (Budget Division), the measures have been introduced to ensure economy, fiscal prudence and rationalization of expenditure amid increasing pressure on public finances.
The order states that utmost economy must be observed while organizing conferences, seminars, workshops, training programmes and similar events. Departments have been directed to conduct such activities only where absolutely necessary and after exploring virtual alternatives.
The government has also discouraged holding exhibitions, fairs, seminars and conferences outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a major decision, the administration has imposed a complete ban on holding official meetings and conferences in private hotels and commercial venues. All departments have been directed to use government buildings, conference halls and other available government infrastructure for official events.
The Finance Department has further directed departments to minimize expenditure on ceremonial events, commemorative functions, excessive branding, souvenir printing, promotional material and non-essential publicity campaigns. Departments have been advised to prioritize digital dissemination over printed publicity material wherever possible.
The government has also placed strict restrictions on the purchase of new vehicles. The order states that procurement of new vehicles shall be discouraged except in exceptional operational circumstances and only after obtaining concurrence from the Finance Department.
Departments have also been directed to ensure replacement only against condemned vehicles while simultaneously reducing fleet strength by 20 percent. Authorities have been instructed to auction condemned vehicles and deposit auction proceeds as miscellaneous revenue before submitting any proposal for vehicle replacement.
The order further stresses optimal utilization and pooling of available government vehicles while directing departments to avoid unnecessary deployment of official transport and ensure economy in fuel and maintenance expenditure.
International travel by government officers has also been restricted. The order states that foreign travel shall not be permitted without specific approval from the Finance Department. Departments have been asked to extensively use video conferencing and virtual platforms to reduce avoidable travel expenditure.
Even within the country, all officers have been directed to travel only by economy class irrespective of entitlement whenever travel becomes unavoidable.
The government has also ordered strict fuel and energy conservation measures. Unnecessary use of official vehicles, generators, air-conditioning systems, lighting and other energy-consuming equipment has been prohibited. Offices have been instructed to ensure optimum utilization of transport arrangements and promote energy-saving practices.
Restrictions have also been imposed on hiring office accommodation, procurement of furniture and fixtures. No office space can now…
