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Inflation Pushes Gujarat To Ease Official Spending Rules
Revised norms raise spending limits on refreshments and meals for Gujarat officials—from tea to dinner—but come with a firm reminder to stick to the new caps
May 14, 2025 · 2 min read
With inflation weighing heavily on people and prices going up across the board, the Gujarat government has had to tweak some of its own spending rules. To keep up with the rising costs, the Finance Department has increased the allowed limits for hospitality expenses—like tea, snacks and meals—during official meetings at both the secretariat and district levels. But at the same time, officials have been clearly told not to overshoot these limits, and that it’s their own responsibility to stick to rules.
At the same time, the government has made it clear: while the limits have been raised, officers must stick to them. A circular issued by Deputy Secretary, Finance Department, Bhavita Rathod, clarifies that the authority for hospitality expenses—including refreshments provided during official meetings or visits under the Mumbai Contingency Expenditure Rules—has been revised for secretaries and other officials.
So, what is changing?
- Per person refreshment limit for government secretaries has been increased from ₹20 to ₹50
- Lunch/dinner expense limit has been raised from ₹100 to ₹250 per person
- Annual maximum hospitality budget has been increased from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000
These limits also cover the department heads who hold the rank of secretary, even if they don’t spend directly on hospitality.
For mid-level officials such as Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and regional/department heads under the General Administration Department:
- Refreshment limit has increased from ₹15 to ₹35 per person
- Lunch/dinner expenses: Not allowed under these rules
- Annual hospitality limit has been increased from ₹5,000 to ₹12,500
For District Collectors and District Development Officers:
- Refreshment limit raised from ₹15 to ₹35 per person
- Lunch/dinner limits have been increased from ₹75 to ₹180 per person
- Annual hospitality expenditure is now capped at ₹12,500, up from ₹5,000
For other District or Department heads (not falling under the above categories):
- Per person refreshment limit has been increased from ₹10 to ₹25
- Annual hospitality expense limit has been increased to ₹7,500 from ₹3,000
In exceptional situations, if the expenditure exceeds the fixed limits, departments are allowed a buffer of up to 10%, but only with proper justification and approval from the department head.
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