Follow master circular for regulation of expenditure: Govt direct officials

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed all the Administrative Departments to follow the master circular instruction with regard to regulating expenditure assiduously for increasing efficiency in public expenditure.

As per the master circular, no works shall be commenced or liability incurred 1n connection with it until administrative approval has been obtained, sanction to incur expenditure has been obtained, a properly detailed design has been sanctioned, technical Sanction has been obtained, funds to cover the charge has been provided, tenders invited and processed in accordance with the rules and a work order has been issued.

The master circular consolidates instructions issued by the Finance Department for regulating expenditure by the departments from time to time. The instructions have been issued by the Finance Department for streamlining and promoting efficiency and transparency in Government expenditure.

A circular in this regard has been issued by Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, (Additional Chief Secretary) Finance Department.

As per the master circular, it is mandatory for all the Government Departments to procure Goods & Services available on GeM, through GeM only. Purchases outside the GeM shall be made only after obtaining the non-availability report from GeM. No bills pertaining to purchases made outside GeM shall be entertained by the treasury officers if the non-availability report from GeM (GeMAR&PTS) is not enclosed with the bill.

Further, Local filters shall be used for procurement from local manufacturers up to Rs.5.00 lacs from Government e-Marketplace (GeM). For purchases above Rs.5.00 additional terms and conditions clause (ATC) shall be invoked by the departments for restricting procurement within, geographical limits through the process of bidding on GeM in appropriate cases.

All procurements shall be made through e-tendering only (Rule 160 of GFR-2017). Time barred claims of the government employees shall be settled by the departments in terms of instructions issued by the GAD vide Circular No. 41-JK(GAD) of 2021 dated: 06.10.2021. A time-barred claim shall be paid with the express sanction of the Government issued with the previous consent of the Finance Department.

Retrospective effect shall not be given by competent authorities to sanctions relating to revision of pay or grant of concession to government servants, except in very special circumstances with the previous consent of Finance Department, master circular reads.

The past liabilities in case of works shall be processed as per the circular guidelines issued by the Finance Department vid Endorsement No. A/ 40(2017)-492 dated: 26.04.2021. All the departments shall take effective steps to ensure that unauthorized, irregular and wasteful expenditure is avoided. The recoverability of unauthorized, irregular or wasteful expenditure must also be considered and appropriate disciplinary action against concerned officers/ officials initiated, it added.

“The instructions shall promote efficiency, simplicity and transparency in the Government financial system and procedures. It will enable an improved, efficient and effective framework of fiscal Management to facilitate timely delivery of services. All the Administrative Departments are accordingly advised to follow the instructions assiduously and meticulously for increasing efficiency in public expenditure”, it added.