Govt plans to clip spending
The government is planning to outsource class IV employees under revenue budget in posts that fall vacant because of retirement or other reasons.
It is also planning not to appoint for the time being any manpower to 10 percent vacant posts at all levels as an austerity measure to offset the impact of the global economic recession.
Economists have welcomed the plans but said it has to be ensured that the existing manpower works properly.
The Finance Division is going to advise every government division, office, directorate and firm to freeze 10 percent posts temporarily as an austerity measure, finance ministry sources said.
A circular in this regard has been prepared and it will be circulated from the Cabinet Division down to the upazila level next week, ministry officials said.
Replying to journalists yesterday at a hotel, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said, "There will be no retrenchment of government staff. Many posts are vacant. No fresh recruitment will be made against 10 percent of these vacant posts."
Muhith said action would be taken against government staff that do not work but draw salary.
Zaid Bakht, research director of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, said, "There is excess manpower in the government machinery. So, the government can utilise the existing manpower instead of making new recruitments."
He said the basic spirit of the government move is right but it has to be ensured that the existing manpower works properly.
The circular says, "Squeezing of government expenditure and austerity is required to ensure fund for creating employment, increasing macro demand, social security activities and different poverty alleviation activities in the backdrop of the world economic recession."
The circular has 18 points as austerity guidelines, of which many are now being followed and directives are there to continue those.
Development projects will have to be manned, as far as possible, on deputation by staff under revenue budget.
Fuel costs for vehicles of completed projects shall not be met from the revenue sector while government organisations cannot use cars above 1600CC or jeeps above 2700CC.
Excess expenditures on entertainment for government meetings and seminars have to be avoided. No gates or arches can be constructed for VIPs.
Comments