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In a fresh push to restore fiscal discipline across public offices, the government has reminded all ministries and agencies that no financial directive can be issued without the Finance Division's consent.
The warning comes amid growing concern over ministries and divisions issuing revenue-related circulars and orders on their own, bypassing central scrutiny.
Officials said the move is meant to bring order and accountability to the management of state revenues, particularly from non-tax sources, and to ensure that all financial decisions follow a single, coordinated policy framework.
The government has asked all ministries, divisions, and agencies to seek approval before issuing any financial regulatory documents, including Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs), circulars, or directives relating to revenue collection or fee determination.
It also seeks to curb the growing tendency of individual entities issuing revenue-related circulars unilaterally, which has been undermining the government's central budgetary control.
The Finance Division has already issued a circular, directing all ministries and
divisions to comply with the existing "Rules of Business, 1996," which mandate prior consultation with the division on any financial or budget-related matter.
A senior Treasury and Debt Management official said that non-NBR and non-tax revenue, including administrative fees, service charges, dividends, and fines collected by various government bodies, play a crucial role in sustaining the national budget and promoting a self-reliant economy.
"It has recently been observed that some ministries and divisions are issuing circulars and directives on non-NBR and non-tax revenue without obtaining the Finance Division's approval," the circular stated.
Officials warned that such irregular practices could result in inconsistent service charges across sectors, inefficient revenue collection, and potential misalignment with national fiscal policy objectives.
According to the Finance Division, Rule 13 of the Rules of Business, 1996 clearly stipulates that "any ministry or division must obtain the advice or opinion of the Finance Division before taking any decision on policy, rules, or other issues relating to financial management."
When contacted, a senior Finance Division official said the directive seeks to ensure that every document with financial or regulatory implications, from setting service fees to altering revenue collection mechanisms, undergoes proper scrutiny by the principal financial authority.
"The government is signalling a zero-tolerance stance on procedural violations. This step will help ensure strict adherence to financial discipline across all levels of public administration," the official added.
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