Odisha Govt Relaxes Expenditure Rationalisation Measures To Revive Economy

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to enhance capital investment for the revival of the economy and livelihood of the people which were hit hard in the wake of the economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Odisha government has decided to relax some expenditure rationalisation measures.

The relaxation measures as notified by the Finance Department are as follows:

— Equipment required for promoting digital communication can be procured within the delegated financial power without reference to the Finance Department.

— Drawal of new long-term advances (HBA, motor car advance, computer advance etc) and other advances shall be allowed.

— Capping on expenditure out of the provision ‘Other Contingencies’ will be relaxed from 60% to 75% of the budget provision for the whole year.

— Capping on expenditure out of the provision ‘Operation and Maintenance expenditure’ will be relaxed from 60% to 75% of the Budget Provision for the whole year. Further relaxation shall be considered on the availability of resources in January 2020.

—New tenders for the execution of works for on-going schemes, procurement of goods and services may be floated keeping the budget provision in view without reference to the Finance Department. The execution and financial power will be guided as per the provisions of OPWD, OGFR, DFPR and Forest code as applicable.

These relaxations will be applicable to all aided institutions, cooperatives and autonomous organisations in which the government has an explicit or implicit financial stake, the notification stated.