Puducherry: Citing severe financial constraints prevailing in the administration Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi directed the government departments to refrain from excessive expenditure which includes banning of business class air travels with immediate effect and to remain within the budget allocation made for the fiscal. In an order addressed to all government secretaries, the LG directed to ban any business class air travels with immediate effect.
The Governor further clarified her order and stated that the order is without any exceptions and would be applicable ‘all’ who draw their funds or expenses from Puducherry government funds. “Objective is to save every rupee for essential expenses for people of Puducherry. If we can travel in economy, we can save for people in the current circumstances when we need every rupee”, said Ms Bedi in a Whatsapp message.
The order further stated that before tenders are floated it must be clearly stated in the proposed note for approval if required money's are available within budget estimates or else the exercise of tenders becomes a futile exercise in the event of no funds available. This will ensure the prevention of blame games which causes confusion in the minds of people, she said.
This matter was discussed in a meeting with the CS and it was decided to follow this procedure in the interest of financial administration of the UT of Puducherry and the finance secretary has been duly informed of this decision. The LG’s order comes in the light of the reports that the Union Territory is moving towards a stressful financial condition with lack of availability of resources.
Commenting on the reports the LG said being courageous and honest enough to let people appreciate reality and instead work unitedly to generate or save.
Mocking the announcement of freebies instead of encouraging self-reliance, self-dependence and collaborative community living, the LG said that it is like plucking ‘remaining’ low hanging fruit rather than ensuring sowing of seeds and saplings for the future, alongside.
She asked the administrators to prepare recovery plans in consultation with those who will outlast policy or decision makers. People have a right to know. And it is the duty of the governments of the day to tell, said Kiran Bedi.
