The Finance Ministry has asked government offices to cut down on government expenditure by making it mandatory for them to seek permission to create and promote new posts.

The finance circular, signed by Finance Minister Mohamed Shafiq to government offices yesterday, said that steps should be taken from today to implement the budget and improve the way expenses are made in line with the vision prepared for the budget approved for the current fiscal year.

Employees have been asked to reduce their expenses, travel expenses and expenses for running and training the office.

The steps that have been asked to reduce the cost of employees include:

  • Not creating any new posts funded by the state government without the approval of the Finance Ministry
  • No changes in the pay structure to be made without approval from the Finance Ministry and the Pay Commission,
  • Despite being included in the Budget, no new allowances that have not been started now will be given in a year without the approval of the Finance Ministry
  • Nothing that will alter the rank of office and salaries and allowances, such as promotion of employees, unless with the approval of the Finance Ministry
  • Reduce overtime in order to complete office work in an official capacity

In addition to these measures, no additional new scholarships should be conducted outside the national-level scholarship schemes, no additional training programmes other than short-term courses and trainings that provide all expenses abroad, and no additional capital expenditure other than the capital expenses contained in the PSIP shall be carried out

The circular came into effect from yesterday and the councils have also been asked to keep in mind the provisions of the circular while spending block grants and personal income money and to meet the expenses within the council's budget.