Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The interim government has prioritized austerity by scrapping the personal secretaries and related perks provided to lawmakers and political appointees.
As per a 12-point plan introduced by the Ministry of Finance to manage the financial pressures for the upcoming general elections scheduled for March 5, only the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Chairperson of the National Assembly, province chiefs, and federal and provincial ministers can have personal secretaries. Ministers and province chiefs also cannot appoint more than three staff members in their secretariats.
The government has also decided not to provide separate offices, vehicles, foreign trips or other facilities to staff members of their personal secretariat.
Similarly, officials are not allowed to appoint a press coordinator and must rely on existing spokespersons or information officers. Ambassadors deputed to different missions abroad will receive only the benefits prescribed by law. All additional privileges being enjoyed by them will be withdrawn.
The plan states that vacant executive posts at public institutions will temporarily be filled by career civil servants on deputation.
To curb spending, the government has banned distribution-oriented programs such as the procurement of expensive electronics, luxury goods, gas cylinders, bicycles, health insurance fees, electricity subsidies, hand pumps or saris. Meeting allowances for regular work have also been abolished. Allowances may only be provided if legally constituted committees meet outside office hours.
Officials residing in government or private housing will no longer receive housing allowance. Similarly, works outsourced to external consultants must now be carried out using existing manpower, except in cases of essential capital research or consultancy, which must be certified by the relevant accounts officer.
