Federal government has imposed a complete ban on creation of new posts and purchase of vehicles, both for current as well as development expenditure under the garb of austerity measures for 2016-17, well informed sources in Engineering Development Board (EDB) told Business Recorder.
"There will be a complete ban on purchase of all types of vehicles both for current as well as development expenditure except operational vehicles of law enforcing agencies for which an NoC from Finance Division would be required," the sources quoted Finance Ministry as saying.
It has also been conveyed to all the Ministries and attached departments/ organisations that creation of new posts will be banned except those required for development projects and approved by the competent authority. Entitlement of periodicals, magazines, etc, of all officers will remain restricted to only one daily newspaper and serving of official lunches/dinners would also be restricted.
Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) of each Ministry will ensure rationalisation of utility bills while remaining within the available budget as no re-appropriation will be authorised from/to utilities. Keeping in view the instructions from the Ministry of Finance, conveyed through the Ministry of Industries and Production, EDB's DGM (SP&C) HR&A has issued an inter office memorandum, which says that all departments and section heads are informed that Chief Executive Officer, EDB, has taken a serious notice of late sitting by officers and staff of different departments without any approval.
"I have been directed to convey that late sitting beyond office hours ie 0900-1700 hours and working in EDB office on weekends should be discouraged. Prior permission from competent authority shall be required in future for late sitting and completion of official assignments in EDB on weekend/ holidays," the sources continued.
The Memorandum further says that in compliance with MoI&P notification No 4(2)/2016-C&C dated 3rd August, 2016 regarding austerity measures, EDB 2nd floor will be locked at 1800 hours to save electricity. In this regard, completion of all assignments should be ensured during office hours.