Palakkad: The finance department of the Kerala government has enforced strict regulations for the treasuries in the state in view of the Onam festival. The curbs are in place to ensure that Onam welfare pension and bonus for the state government employees can be disbursed smoothly.
The treasury officers have been asked not to pass any bill until the State tides over the financial crisis. They have been sent emails and phones in this regard.
However, these regulations could hinder construction and renovation works carried out by the local bodies and the Public Works Department.
The development activities carried out using the MLA's asset development fund will also be hit.
Bills worth Rs 267.84 crore are awaiting the nod from treasuries. These include bills for projects that have to be given priority and completed at the earliest.
However, pension and house construction aid from the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund are being duly disbursed.
However, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has clarified that the curbs would be effective only till August 31.
As reported earlier, the LDF government has spent around Rs 1.5 crore to print propaganda material as part of the Pinarayi government's 1,000-day celebrations amid the crunch.
As many as 75 lakh copies of the folder titled ‘Towards a new Kerala’ have been printed. The government order releasing money for it was issued the other day.
Meanwhile, the government has been trying to mobilise funds for the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund in the wake of the floods for the second consecutive year. It also aims to collect Rs 1,000 crore in two years with the one per cent flood cess on Goods and Service Tax in a bid to shore up its finances.
