In view of slow economic growth due to the outbreak of global pandemic COVID-19, the Assam Government has decided a slew of austerity measures including the ban on the purchase of any new vehicles and several travelling of government representatives in executive class. Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday informed the decision.

According to a notification issued by the governmentof Assam, "Finance Department has been issuing austerity instructions from timeto time with a view to containing non-developmental expenditure and releasingof additional resources for priority schemes. Such measures are intended atpromoting fiscal discipline, without restricting the operational efficiency ofthe Government."

"In the context of the current fiscal situationarising out of the outbreak of COVID-19, there is a need to rationalizeexpenditure and optimize available resources. With a view to mitigating thepresent economic crisis, the Assam Governor, Assam Chief Minister and Councilof Ministers have already decided to donate 30 per cent of their salary to theChief Minister's Relief Fund," the notification further read.

Meanwhile, no officer will be allowed to attend anyforeign training course, workshop, seminar outside India for which expenditurehas to be borne by the State Government. Remuneration in respect of Chairmanand Vice-Chairman of all PSUs, Corporations and Boards will be reduced by 25per cent.

Release of MLA Area Development Fund will remainsuspended in the first four months of the current financial year or untilfurther orders, whichever is earlier.