Depts must seek finance nod for expenditure

SHILLONG: Different departments of the state government will now to have to seek approval of the finance department for all expenditures incurred following the decision of the state government to temporarily withdraw the Meghalaya Delegation of Financial Powers Rules, 2006.
The state finance (economic affairs) department has temporarily withdrawn the Meghalaya Delegation of Financial Power Rules, 2006 recently, a delayed report said.
A notification issued on December 20 by the secretary of the finance department, A. Bhagotia to all the heads of the departments and principal secretaries, commissioners and secretaries said on account of the implementation of the recommendations of the Meghalaya Fifth Pay Commission and the double payment of salary during December 2017, there would be a significant outflow from the state exchequer during the month and the subsequent three months (fourth quarter) of the fiscal year 2017-18.
“Therefore, to enable the finance department to effectively monitor the expenditure of the state, it has become necessary for the finance department to withdraw the power of the departments to make expenditure at their level by temporarily withdrawing the Meghalaya Delegation of Financial Power Rules, 2006 until further orders,” the notification said.
The notification further said following the withdrawal of the rules, the district and subordinate offices will require approval from the finance department for all expenditures to be incurred by the departments.
Different departments have been asked to prioritise their expenditures, especially the day-to-day expenditures and submit their requirements to the finance department for approval on time so as to avoid any disruption in their functioning.