Delhi Govt Expands Financial Powers Of Bureaucrats; Secretaries Can Now Sanction Up To Rs 50 Crore

The Delhi government has revised the financial powers delegated to Heads of Departments (HODs) and Administrative Secretaries, authorising them to sanction larger expenditures on official functions, equipment, vehicle hire, and other administrative needs. This is the first such amendment since 2019.

According to a Finance Department circular, HODs can now approve projects and schemes worth up to Rs 10 crore, while Administrative Secretaries have powers up to Rs 50 crore. They have also been empowered to procure IT items, hire consultants, purchase or replace vehicles, and manage office buildings without prior approval from the Finance Department.

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Administrative Secretaries have been granted full financial powers for contingent expenses, furniture, equipment, refreshments, and legal fees (as per Law Department rules), while HODs will operate within capped limits. For example, HODs can sanction up to Rs 15 lakh in contingent expenditure, Rs 5 lakh per month for vehicle hire, and Rs 50 lakh per year for stationery and official refreshments.

For maintenance and minor repairs of government buildings, Administrative Secretaries can sanction Rs 20 lakh annually, compared to Rs 10 lakh for HODs. The new rules also allow Administrative Secretaries to appoint consultants and professionals, expanding their decision-making scope.

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The amendment marks a significant shift from 2019, when even the hiring of vehicles required Finance Department approval.