Bar on new posts in J&K austerity drive

SRINAGAR: J&K’s Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) govt announced Saturday a raft of austerity measures that included a bar on new posts, less than two years after the party was voted to office promising one lakh jobs a year.The measures were announced by the finance department, which CM Omar handles himself, through a issued a circular to all departments under the head “economy and austerity measures for rationalisation of expenditure”. These include a ban on official dinners and lunches, restrictions on holding exhibitions outside J&K and freeze on purchase of vehicles.“NC promised one lakh new jobs for youths in its manifesto. And rubbing salt into the wounds of those who voted for it, it has now banned new posts. Even posts that have remained vacant for two years will be surrendered. This govt will go down in history as one the most dishonest ever. They have been lying through their teeth,” Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Sajad Lone said. Finance department officials were not available for comments on the measures.According to the circular, regular posts will be filled up only through prescribed recruitment agencies. Engagement of consultants, outsourcing agencies and contractual support services will be allowed only after “careful assessments”. No fresh financial commitments will be made on schemes or proposals provided for in the 2026-27 budget.There will be a complete ban on official dinners, lunches, receptions, except those hosted by lieutenant-governor Manoj Sinha and CM Omar. Seminars, conferences, workshops, training programmes will be undertaken only where absolutely necessary, and after exploring virtual alternatives. Such events outside J&K are strongly discouraged. Meetings and conferences in private hotels and other commercial venues have been forbidden.Expenditure on ceremonial events, functions, excessive branding, souvenir printing, promotional materials, and non-essential publicity activities will be minimised. The govt has asked all departments to ensure “optimal utilisation and pooling of available vehicles and avoid deployment beyond functional necessity”.The circular says international travel will not be permitted unless specific approval is obtained from the finance department. Departments should use video conference and virtual platforms for meetings, consultations, and reviews to minimise travel expenditure. Within the country, officials will fly, if need arises, only in economy class, irrespective of entitlements. Travel within J&K should preferably be by road or rail for all officials.Departments have been asked to stop unnecessary use of generators, ACs, lighting, and other energy-consuming equipment. “No furniture will be procured except in case of new offices and only with the concurrence of the finance department,” the circular states.