The Kashmir Dialogues
JAMMU, Apr 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the release of 90 percent of funds under the Revenue Budget for the financial year 2025-26.
In a detailed order, the Finance Department stated that these funds will be released through the BEAMS portal, except for the “Leave Travel Concession” head, under which only 50 percent funds have been released at this stage.
For power purchase, funds will be released on a monthly basis at one-twelfth of the budget estimates, ordered the Government.
The order came in light of the recently passed Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No. 2) Act, 2025.
As per the order issued by Principal Secretary Finance Department, Santosh D Vaidya, the departments have been instructed to strictly follow expenditure norms, avoid non-essential spending, and prioritize capital expenditure to ensure optimal utilisation of public resources.
Further, it has been ordered that the funds under specific heads such as interest payments, cost price of food grains, snow clearance, the UT’s revenue share, and the Disaster Response Fund be considered on a case-to-case basis.
Additionally, capital expenditure has been authorised for procurement of office and machinery equipment, vehicles, furniture and land compensation.
Meanwhile, the Government has imposed a series of financial controls to ensure fiscal discipline.
As per the order, the departments have been asked to rationalise non-developmental expenditure, clear electricity and water dues on time, and ensure that metering of all Government buildings is in place.
Further, it has been ordered that strict economy is to be observed in areas such as travel, telephone bills, POL, publicity, and hospitality.
Additionally, the international travel has been barred unless specifically approved by the Finance Department, and domestic travel has been ordered to be undertaken only in economy class. Emphasis has also been laid on outcome-based spending.
The departments have been directed to ensure that the funds are used efficiently and for intended purposes only.
“Any irregular or wasteful expenditure must be avoided,” ordered the Government.
It has been also ordered that all procurements must be routed through the GeM portal in accordance with General Financial Rules, and all tendering processes must be completed by April 30.
While the use of cash in Government transactions has been discouraged the Government has asked the officers to give preference to the electronic payments
To avoid last-minute rush in spending, departments have also been asked to maintain a uniform pace of expenditure.
“No more than 30 percent of the budget should be spent in the last quarter, and only up to 15 percent in the final month of the fiscal year,” ordered the Government.
The Government has also clarified that there is a complete ban on the engagement of casual or need-based workers.
It has been also ordered that any bill for rent payment will be entertained only with a valid rent assessment order.
The order has called for strict monitoring and monthly reporting by departments to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending.
