Government today unveiled an austerity drive to cut non-plan expenditure by ten per cent. Under the measures, it has barred bureaucrats from travelling First Class on overseas visits and asked them to use video conferencing as much as possible.

The Finance Ministry has issued an office order barring officials from holding meetings in 5-star hotels and put a freeze on fresh appointments and filling up posts lying vacant for over one year.

The ministry said the ban on purchase of new vehicles other than to meet operational requirement of defence forces, Paramilitary forces and security organisations will continue.
Such measures are intended at promoting fiscal discipline, without restricting the operational efficiency of the government, finance ministry said.