Srinagar, May 23 -- The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a series of austerity measures for the financial year 2026-27, including a ban on official dinners and restrictions on purchase of new vehicles, foreign travel and creation of posts, officials said on Saturday.

The measures were issued through Government Order No. 198-F of 2026 dated May 22 by the Finance Department as part of efforts to enforce fiscal discipline and rationalise expenditure.

According to the order, departments have been directed to avoid holding seminars, conferences and workshops outside the Union Territory unless unavoidable. Conducting official meetings and events in private hotels and commercial venues has also been prohibited, with departments asked...