Exclusive: Cash-strapped Telangana govt bans foreign travel for officials, limits in-office spending

Hyderabad: The cash-strapped Telangana Government has banned foreign travel for officials regarding study tours, seminars and workshops as part of the severe austerity measures in the State.

It advised departmental heads to adopt austerity measures in all spheres, including foreign travel, economy in office furnishings, use of official vehicles and energy saving among others!

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy-led Congress government has been facing a severe cash crunch to fulfil its six guarantees which propelled the party to a victory against BRS-led K Chandrasekhar Rao in the State Assembly elections held in 2023.

Cost cutting for implementing welfare schemes

While one of the major promises—free bus travel in RTC buses for women—was implemented along with a farm loan waiver scheme etc., another major promise, the Rythu Bharosa, requiring crores of rupees is yet to be implemented. Some schemes are also yet to be fully implemented.

The chief minister promised he would implement all the promises in a phased manner and hit out at the detractors in BRS and the BJP.

However, the general administration directions on economic measures, expenditure management and rationing of expenditure to all special chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and secretaries of the Secretariat have raised hackles in the administration.

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari directed officials to strictly observe austerity measures in the government expenditure to contain non-developmental expenditure, leading to the release of additional resources for priority schemes.

“These measures are also intended to promote fiscal discipline with restricting the operational efficiency of the government and optimise available resources,” the circular said.

The government has banned foreign travel on study tours, seminars and workshops barring restricted unavoidable official engagements. “There will be a ban on foreign travel for study tours, seminars and workshops. Where foreign travel is unavoidable, official delegations shall be kept to the barest minimum,” the chief secretary said.

#Exclusive: Cash strapped Telangana Government has banned foreign travel for officials on study tours, seminars, workshops.
-Bans the purchase of new vehicles for govt office.

In an official communication ( Circular with @NewsMeter_In), the CS has asked govt offices minimise… pic.twitter.com/kFH5Rc6hWg

— NewsMeter (@NewsMeter_In) December 12, 2024

Economy measures in office expenditure

The CM Revanth Reddy government has also directed economic measures in the purchase of office furnishings in government offices and official residences, adding that expenditure limits prescribed for these purposes shall be strictly enforced.

While the purchase of new vehicles has been banned and restricted to replacements of condemned vehicles, the government has directed officials to ensure utmost economy in the use of official vehicles.

Power consumption in government offices too has come under scrutiny. Officials have been instructed to switch off lights, fans and air conditioners when not in use, especially at the end of the workday.

“Employees should also minimise the use of personal electrical equipment and ensure devices are unplugged when not required,” the chief secretary added.