Finance Ministry directed relevant ministries to postpone for two years, the construction of new buildings for Government Institutions
However, provisions may be included for the buildings which are currently at the final stage of construction to complete those after making the Treasury aware of same, Treasury secretary .S,R. Atygalle said.
Issuing another directive he noted that preparation of estimates and incorporation of provisions under the Object Code of Capacity Building should be restricted only for the courses of study which are directly relevant to the requirements of Service Minutes and trainings and courses which are directly connected with the duties of the officers.
In relation to the courses conducted by various institutions with the objective of fulfilling the requirements of Service Minutes, foreign study tours/ field tours should be scrapped, courses redesigned and estimates should be prepared accordingly.
Details of ongoing and new projects and the details on Sustainable Development Goals in accordance with the directive and it should be submitted to the Department of National Budget.
Estimates should be prepared in line with the instructions of Circulars, issued by the Treasury and the Ministry relating to Gender Based Budgeting. Attention should be paid to the Circular issued by the Department of National Budget in this regard.
Referring to Implementation of Welfare Programs of the Government he noted that a sizeable amount of funds is allocated through the Consolidated Fund for the welfare programs continued for a long period of time by the Government.
However, it remains questionable whether those relief benefits directly go to the most deserving. Therefore, it is required to correctly identify the deserving beneficiaries.
It has been observed that very often various welfare programs feed the same beneficiary. As such, it is required to take steps to prevent duplication of subsidies, provided by Provincial Councils as well as various Ministries of the Central Government and the maximum usage of Information Technology is encouraged in that respect.
(LIN)