The Madhya Pradesh government has initiated an austerity campaign within government departments and state-run institutions to control unnecessary spending. This includes restrictions on non-essential expenses like foreign travel, VIP treatment, costly official events, and new consultancy contracts. The Finance Department has issued strict guidelines applicable to all government bodies, corporations, boards, public sector enterprises, and state universities with immediate effect.
To ensure optimal use of public resources and maintain financial discipline, the government has mandated these measures for all departments and institutions. The guidelines suspend state-funded foreign trips unless absolutely necessary and require officials on official duty to travel in economy class. Additionally, the government has banned expenses on VIP gifts, lavish receptions, and expensive calendars and diaries.
In a bid to cut down on avoidable costs and VIP culture, the government has prohibited spending on unnecessary workshops, meetings, and training sessions in hotels. Instead, departments are encouraged to utilize government facilities or opt for virtual platforms for such events. The directive also includes a halt on non-essential spending for office interior decoration.
Furthermore, the government has made vehicle pooling mandatory to rationalize transportation expenses across departments. Officers with additional responsibilities will have their assigned vehicles reassigned to eligible counterparts. Heads of departments are tasked with reducing vehicle hires and promoting vehicle sharing among officers.
The overarching goal of these austerity measures is to eliminate unnecessary expenses, optimize resource utilization, and prioritize public funds for developmental projects and welfare schemes. The Finance Department has also imposed a ban on new consultancy services and directed corporations and boards to transfer maximum dividends to the state treasury to bolster finances.
