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Cabinet secretaries call for sweeping reforms to revive economy
Cabinet ministry secretaries have proposed to the Government that it should cut down the number of ministers, reduce their perks, drastically curb the number of state ministers or scrap the positions and temporarily stop recruitment to the public sector.
Public Administration Ministry Secretary J.J. Ratnasiri told the Sunday Times the proposals were among 33 recommendations they handed over to Presidential Secretary Gamini Senarath with a request that they be implemented.
The proposals were handed over during a discussion held with the Ministry Secretaries on overcoming the current economic crisis. The proposals were handed over following an invitation for recommendations on managing state expenses in view of the current crisis.
They are to be studied by a committee headed by the Prime Minister’s secretary.
Mr. Ratnasiri said the proposal to cut down the ministries would help to drastically cut down expenses as it would reduce allocation of funds to maintain the ministries, additional officials and buildings and provide fuel allowances.
The proposals suggest that the number of state ministries should be reduced or the post should be scrapped as at present the number of ministries and state ministries totals about 70 members.
They have also proposed to stop all new projects, stop renting out buildings for the public sector and to review the 2022 budget proposals.
The secretaries have suggested that public sector recruitment should be temporarily halted and a survey should be carried out about the existing staff before taking a decision to recruit.
Giving priority to import of fuel, gas and medicines and expediting supplies via the existing credit lines are among other proposals.They also recommend that talks with the International Monetary Fund should be expedited.
A similar discussion was held between Mr Senarath and secretaries of state ministries. They have been told to send in their proposals too.
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