Vacation notice

Every year before the Budget is presented, any leave or tour is out of the question for finance ministry officials. This year, officials from other ministries will join them in this embargo. Because the Budget is in March when many government officials tend to use up their remaining leave, the finance ministry has directed financial advisors of all Union ministries “to remain in station and defer any plans for leave or travel on tour” till the Budget is presented on March 16. The last time such a directive was issued was in 2009 when the UPA came to power mid-year.