Govt bans Supplementary Grants until the formation of a new government

Islamabad: Implementing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) directions, the Federal government has banned Supplementary Grants until the formation of a new government.

The Finance division strategy for additional allocation and re appropriation of funds during current financial year 2023-24 disclosed that government will not approve any Supplementary Grants for any additional unbudgeted spending over the parliamentary approved level in FY24, in order to remain within

the approved budgetary allocation, at least until the formation of a new government after the elections (except if needed to respond to a severe natural disaster).

Regarding the re-appropriation of Funds, Principal Accounting Officers (PAOs) have been provided additional funds to meet the funding requirements of Adhoc Relief Allowance 2023 announced in the budget for CFY 2023-24, under a separate Cost Centre in each Demand for Grants. PAOs are, hereby, advised to re-appropriate these funds, in consultation with Expenditure Wing, Finance Division, only for the purpose of Adhoc Relief Allowance 2023, to Cost Centers of Divisions / Attached Departments / Subordinate Offices within respective Demands for Grants no later than 31stAugust, 2023.

In addition, Re-appropriation of funds shall be allowed, within an approved Demand for Grant and Appropriation, from one “Head of Account” to another “Head of Account” provided that no re-appropriation shall be made from Employees Related Expenses (ERE) to any other “Head of Account”(Non-ERE).

In case of shortfall in ERE allocation during the CFY, re-appropriation of funds from Non-ERE “Head of Accounts” may be made on priority basis; the document states that re-appropriation Orders, duly approved by the Competent Authority shall be provided to the Accounting Organizations/ Offices for entry into SAP system; however, re-appropriation of funds shall remain within the prescribed quarterly limits given by the Finance Division in the Strategy for Release of Funds of CFY.

 

With regard to Technical Supplementary Grant, Any request for provision of funds through TSG shall only be submitted by PA0s, with identification of resources under other demand(s) and certificate regarding equivalent surrender from the concerned PAO.

 

The Expenditure Wing shall examine the TSG cases in detail and submit recommendations for consideration by the Budget Wing, Finance Division.

 

The Budget Wing, Finance Division shall process the cases in the light of SAP system report, recommendation of Expenditure Wing and available fiscal space before submission to the Finance Secretary for consideration.

 

TSG cases relating to PSDP, after meeting the requirements contained at above mentioned sub-paras, shall be processed through the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Division; On approval of funds through TSG from the Federal Cabinet, the PAO shall submit the schedule of TSG, duly endorsed by the Expenditure Wing, Finance Division, along with copies of the approved summary and decision of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, ratification of the Cabinet and surrender order to the Director (“Budget Computerization), Budget Wing, Finance Division for entry in SAP system.

 

Funds approved through TSG shall be released by the Finance Division keeping in view the funds availability and in line with Release Strategy.

Shahzad Paracha
Shahzad Paracha
The writer is a member of Pakistan Today's Islamabad bureau. He can be reached at [email protected].

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