FROM PAGE 4

When asked why fuel allowance for cars purchased with interest-free loans was excluded from the austerity measures, a senior official from the Finance Division said, “The government has not decided to cut costs in this sector, so it was not included.”

In response to further questioning, he added, “Instructions have been issued exactly as the government decided. It is the government that determines what is appropriate or inappropriate; I cannot comment on that.”

On April 9, in a letter sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Division announced a 30 percent reduction in fuel allocations for the PM, ministers, and state ministers. The letter stated that until further notice, cabinet members will receive 12.6 litres of fuel daily, down from the previous 18 litres.

Meanwhile, in a separate office memo, the Cabinet Division notified the secretaries to all ministries and divisions regarding the government’s austerity measures, including cost-cutting in sectors such as training, foreign travel, and meetings or seminars.

According to the directives, fuel consumption for all government vehicles will be reduced by 30 percent on a monthly basis, while interest-free loans for government officials to buy cars will remain suspended.

The purchase of government cars, boats, aircraft, and computers must remain completely suspended.

Also, all government-funded foreign trainings will remain suspended, while internal training costs must be reduced by 50 percent. For meetings and seminars, entertainment expenses must be cut by 50 percent, and overall costs by 20 percent.

Other steps include: 30 percent reduction to travel expenses, and to use of fuel, electricity, and gas in government offices; 20 percent reduction to beautification costs for residential buildings and 50 percent for non-residential buildings; and complete suspension of expenses for land acquisition.