NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, MAY 21
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to go for austerity measures by cutting down non developmental expenses under various heads here on Thursday. This decision was taken to manage the financial stress arising out of COVID-19.
As part of this measure, the government has decided put on hold the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to government employees and teachers during the current fiscal.
The government has decided on the cost cutting measures to mobilise resources and the allocations made in the budget estimates for 2020-21 will also be reduced.
The austerity measures are due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on the state finances. The government has banned foreign travel for employees at the state expense. Domestic air travel outside the state is restricted and within the state, it is banned unless the airfare is less than or equal to the eligible train fare. The permission for official travel is restricted.
At government functions, presentation of mementos, shawls and others will be avoided. The government has also decided to reduce its purchases and advertisement costs.
The government also banned purchasing official vehicles, computers and hosting official lunch and meetings on government expenses etc., a DIPR release said.