Coronavirus crisis: Tripura government decides to go for massive austerity drive

A Correspondent

Agartala: The Tripura government has decided to go for a massive austerity drive to curtail expenses and also is stressing on increasing non-tax revenue to meet the excess expenses incurred in the fight against coronavirus which is likely to continue for some time. This decision was taken in a meeting of the State Cabinet.

Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath told reporters that all the government departments and the public sector undertakings have been asked to curtail all expenses not related to public service. The government also earlier decided to suspend the MLA Local Area Development fund for two years. Each MLA gets Rs 50 lakh per year in this head.

The Cabinet directed all the departments to reduce expenditure to the tune of ten per cent of the total allocation and also to increase non-tax revenue. It also asked the departments to maximize the use of the Internet and to avoid the use of paper in order to reduce expenditure.

It has told the departments to increase the use of LED bulbs and to reduce expenditure on power consumption by ten per cent. A total ban has been imposed on the purchase of cars from the State budget allocation.

It also imposed a total ban on organizing mela, exhibition and other government programmes without prior permission from the Chief Minister. No department is allowed to acquire land for any purpose but can accept if anyone donates. It also imposed a total ban on undertaking any unpaid liability.

The Minister said the government has instructed officers of all rank to reduce expenditure on telephone and put a ban on purchasing mobile phones on government expense.

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