The Sindh government has decided to further tighten austerity measures to address potential energy challenges. In this regard, an important meeting of the austerity committee was held under the chairmanship of Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. Provincial ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Mukesh Kumar Chawla, along with relevant officials, attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed in detail issues related to the efficient use of energy, reduction in government expenditure, and better management of resources without affecting the delivery of public services. The committee decided that the fuel provided to government officials will be reduced by 50 percent, while 60 percent of government vehicles will be grounded immediately. However, operational vehicles, police mobiles, ambulances, fire brigade vehicles and other essential vehicles will be exempt from this decision.
The meeting also decided that fuel allocations for government departments as well as local government vehicles will be reduced by 50 percent to prevent unnecessary use of fuel. The Secretary, General Administration (GA), has been given the authority to ground government vehicles and has been directed to submit a daily report to the committee. A formal proforma will also be prepared to collect the numbers and other details of the vehicles to be grounded.
The committee clarified that if any department violates these instructions, the concerned vehicle may be taken into custody. A monitoring committee comprising the Secretary GA and the Secretary Excise has also been formed to oversee this process and compile a complete list of the vehicles to be grounded.
The meeting also reviewed the procedure for investigating and recovering vehicles allocated for government projects. Committee members directed that the details of all project vehicles be obtained and that the vehicles be recovered as soon as possible, with a report submitted in this regard.
Furthermore, it was decided that government offices will open four days a week as usual, while work from home will be observed on Fridays. Similarly, schools across the province will remain closed from March 16 to March 31. However, examinations will be held according to their scheduled timetable and will not be postponed.
While addressing the meeting, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that in view of the current situation, the Sindh government is ensuring the prudent use of resources. He added that the aim of these decisions is to reduce energy consumption without affecting the delivery of public services, and all departments will have to strictly implement these austerity measures.