Sindh tightens spending with energy-saving measures

The Sindh government is intensifying its efforts to mitigate potential energy crises by implementing a series of austerity measures aimed at reducing public spending without compromising essential services. This was highlighted in an important meeting convened by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, chairing the Austerity Committee.

Participants discussed strategies for efficient energy usage and resource management during the Thursday meeting. The committee decided to cut fuel allocations for government officers by 50%, while 60% of government vehicles will be grounded. However, operational vehicles such as police mobiles, ambulances, fire brigade vehicles, and essential service vehicles will not be affected.

The Secretary of General Administration has been authorized to ground the vehicles and submit daily reports to the committee. A formal proforma will also be prepared to record the registration numbers and details of the grounded vehicles. The committee emphasized that any department violating these instructions will face immediate consequences, including having their vehicles seized.

To ensure compliance with these measures, a monitoring committee comprising the Secretary of General Administration and the Secretary Excise has been formed. This panel will compile an exhaustive list of all grounded vehicles.

The meeting also addressed the scrutiny and recovery process for project vehicles allocated to various government projects. Committee members instructed that details of such vehicles be obtained, and efforts should be made to recover them promptly with a report submitted.

In addition, it was decided that Sindh’s public offices will operate only four days a week starting from April 1st, while Fridays would be designated as work-from-home days. Schools across the province are expected to remain closed from March 16th until March 31st, though examinations continue according to their scheduled timetable and will not be postponed.

Addressing the meeting, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stressed that these decisions aim to reduce energy consumption without impacting public services. All departments must strictly adhere to the austerity measures outlined in this plan.

Provincial ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, and Mukesh Kumar Chawla, along with other relevant officials, participated in the meeting.