Srinagar: The state government on Wednesday accorded sanction to an amendment in the book of financial powers of Director Information and Public Relation Officer outside the state on expenditure for light tea, heavy tea and lunch or dinner for open press briefings.
Now, the Director Information or the PRO can spend upto to a maximum of Rs 30,000 on each occasion.
The rates per head shall not exceed Rs 40, Rs 75 and Rs 750 for light tea, heavy tea and
Lunch/dinner respectively, reads an order announcing the amendment.
The government also ordered that the entertainment for press briefing shall be arranged through Hospitality and Protocol Department except when it is not possible to do so for the reasons to be recorded in writing and communicated by Director Information to Administrative Department.
Regarding expenditure in respect of press briefing of secret and informal nature, where either the number of invitees or the nature of entertainment provided to them may not be disclosed in the public interest, the government ordered that Director Information may spend upto 15000 on each occasion.