Ms Banerjee Mamata asks officials to control expenditure

Jalpaiguri: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday stressed the importance of the austerity drive initiated by her government, asking senior officials to control expenditure and invest the savings into development works.

The officials should concentrate on finishing the projects in time, failing which they would be “penalised”, the CM said here during an administrative review meeting at Uttar Kanya  the mini state secretariat in North Bengal.

“We must also consider completing projects in time because that will help us in saving money. The officials could be penalised, if they fail to finish work on time,” she said. The CM also emphasised the fact that funds for public service and social security would not be curtailed.

“There will not be any compromise on the funds for social security schemes. The schemes will continue to be our priority,” Banerjee said.

She asked the officials to ensure the optimum use of resources made available to them.

“Why should I treat my office as a luxurious five-star hotel? One must treat his or her office as their home. We must value the government money and spend it accordingly,” the CM added. The review meet at Uttar Kanya today was attended by chief secretary Malay De, home secretary Atri Bhattacharya and officials of government departments, including financial advisers and directors.

Ms Banerjee had last week held a meeting with the officials at the state secretariat to set off the austerity drive, the first-of-its-kind initiative by the Trinamul Congress government.

The government issued a notification, asking its officers to curtail “avoidable expenditure” on travelling, conferences at five-star hotels.     

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