The Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed sweeping austerity measures for 2026-27, including a ban on official lunches and dinners, restrictions on new vehicle purchases, a freeze on new post creation and curbs on foreign travel, as part of efforts to enforce fiscal discipline across departments.
The Finance Department has directed all departments to observe utmost economy in conferences, seminars and training programmes and use government buildings instead of private hotels for official events. Officers must travel economy class within the country, while international travel requires Finance Department approval. Departments must reduce fleet strength by 20 percent and auction condemned vehicles before seeking replacements.
A digital-first approach has been mandated, with maximum use of e-Office and video conferencing to reduce travel and printing costs. No fresh financial commitments on schemes outside approved Budget Estimates will be permitted. Administrative Secretaries have been made personally responsible for compliance.
