The Punjab government has rolled out new guidelines for provincial departments ahead of the upcoming fiscal year, tightening controls on development spending and resource allocation.
Under the new directives, authorities have imposed a complete ban on the purchase of vehicles under any development scheme. Officials confirmed that vehicle procurement will no longer be included in the PC-1 of any project.
The government has also allowed the use of unspent funds for both ongoing and new development schemes. However, departments must first secure approval from the SAP Steering Committee before reallocating these funds. The committee will play a central role in monitoring fund releases, reviewing surrenders, and overseeing the overall progress of development programs.
The move is seen as part of a broader effort to streamline spending and strengthen financial oversight across provincial projects.
Additionally, unnecessary expenditures such as banners, advertising campaigns and dinner events will not be permitted under development projects. Institutions have also been prohibited from charging administrative overheads on these schemes.
Upon completion of projects, it will be mandatory to obtain a completion certificate from the relevant departments. Each project report must include details on impact, costs, targets, and completion status. The steering committee will conduct periodic reviews of project progress and will be responsible for addressing any issues that arise during implementation. Officials say these measures are aimed at increasing transparency in development projects and preventing the misuse of public funds.
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