No Diwali Gifts With Public Funds: Centre's Message To All Ministries

New Delhi:

The Centre has issued a directive prohibiting the use of public funds for Diwali or other festive occasion gifts - a mandate communicated last week by the Finance Ministry to all ministries, government departments, and employees.

According to the Department of Expenditure within the Finance Ministry, this prohibition on utilizing public funds for festive gifts - including those exchanged between departments, ministries, or presented to senior officials - forms part of a broader initiative aimed at 'curbing non-essential expenditure'.

The notification, bearing the signature of PK Singh, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, states that this policy continues ongoing 'efforts in the interest of prudent and judicious use of public resources'.

"The Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, has been regularly issuing directives intended to promote fiscal discipline and reduce unnecessary spending. In furtherance of these efforts and to ensure responsible management of public resources, it has been determined that no expenditure shall be permitted on gifts and related items for Diwali and other festivals by Ministries/Departments and other governmental bodies of India," the notice declared.

The directive takes immediate effect, applying from this year's Diwali celebration on October 20.

The notification also mentioned that similar instructions have been issued previously.