Sikkim govt rolls out austerity measures to tide over fiscal impact of COVID-19

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Sikkim govt rolls out austerity measures to tide over fiscal impact of COVID-19
Gangtok, May 9 () The Prem Singh Tamang governmentin Sikkim has decided to reduce the salaries of the chiefminister and ministers by 35 per cent for the next one yearto mitigate the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic onthe state's economy.

As per decisions taken at a cabinet meeting presidedover by the chief minister on Friday, utilisation ofdiscretionary funds of the ministers have also been put onhold.

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The state government has decided to impose a ban onappointments under regular/work-charged/musterroll/adhoc/consolidated pay/ temporary basis for six months,a press release issued by the Information and Public Relationsdepartment said.

The state government has also decided to impose a banon replacement and purchase of new vehicles, computers andperipherals while the allocation under revenue expenditure inall departments will be curtailed by ten per cent.

Among other things, there will be restrictions onadvertisement or publication of notice inviting tender exceptmandatory ones.

Restrictions have been imposed on conveyance allowanceof all public servants while the grant of housing buildingadvance will be deferred till further notice.

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Official receptions in hotels or resorts have beenbanned while the transfer of funds to rural and urban localbodies other than salaries and honorariums stands deferredtill further order.

The devolution of funds under the 5th State FinanceCommission stands reduced by 10 per cent except grantsrecommended by the 15th Finance Commission.

No liabilities should be created without budgetprovision while no new scheme or work, including landacquisition, can be initiated till further order, the releasesaid.

However, there will be no restriction on theimplementation of centrally sponsored schemes, it said. KDKMM MM
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