Mayawati joins the austerity bandwagon

Taking a cue from the United Progressive Alliance government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday issued directives to her cabinet colleagues to strictly adhere to austerity measures by checking unproductive spendings.

A release said that the chief minister reminded her cabinet colleagues that since the state was running welfare schemes for the sections of society through its own limited resources with the the additional burden following implementation of sixth pay commission recommendation, it was imperative to check unproductive spending.

Mayawati also asked not to open any new guest houses by government departments, public enterprises, authorities, no new construction of offices or residential buildings except for newly created districts, the release said.

She directed for not buying any new vehicle, keeping the official tours to the minimum as well as not taking the private staff of officials.

The chief minister also directed that no government feast be organised in five-star hotels and if necessary it should be done only with chief secretary's permission.