WB govt on a cost-cutting drive

CALCUTTA, DEC 14: In a double-pronged strategy to stir up the state administration to ``perform'', the West Bengal government had decided ...

CALCUTTA, DEC 14: In a double-pronged strategy to stir up the state administration to “perform”, the West Bengal government had decided to impose “rigorous discipline” and implement a cost-cutting drive.

State chief secretary Monish Gupta issued two circulars banning new telephone and cellular connections and asking the departmental heads to maintain performance books of the employees. The performance books, the circular said, had to be maintained with the strict implementation of attendance. Any officer or employee who comes late for three days has to give up one casual leave. The circulars become effective from tomorrow.

Incidentally, the Chief Minister had sacked some IAS officers on grounds of “corruption and other charges”. Last to go was an IAS officer of the 1976 cadre.

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The circulars, coming as it does a few months before the Assembly elections, are seen as a part of image-brashing (????) exercise by the state government, which last year issued a similar circular asking the employees to adhere to attendance timing.

In the circular that tightens the noose on the expenditure, it said that the state government will not give permission to purchase new vehicles by any department and the existing rules of fuel consumption by the official vehicles have to be maintained rigorously.

The expenditure-cutting drive has also banned the use of official vehicles during holidays and in case of an exception, a special and prior permission is required from the departmental heads.

Most importantly, the circular has put a ban on recruitment if it is not from the Public Service Commission. No appointment can be made without the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

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The ban is also extended to serving of alcohol and cigarettes during lunch and dinner either by the state Public Sector Undertakings or by any state Government departments.