SRINAGAR, May 23 -- The Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced a series of strict austerity measures for the financial year 2026-27, imposing curbs on official functions, vehicle purchases, foreign travel, hiring of office spaces and creation of new posts as part of efforts to ensure fiscal discipline and expenditure rationalisation.

According to Government Order No. 198-F of 2026 dated May 22, issued by the Finance Department, all departments have been directed to enforce stringent financial prudence measures with immediate effect.

Under the order, seminars, conferences, workshops and exhibitions outside the Union Territory have been strongly discouraged, while meetings in private hotels and commercial venues have been completely b...