Bhubaneswar, 2nd Aug 2025: Despite the presence of skilled officers within departments, there has been increasing reliance on external consultants, often sidelining in-house expertise. Various departments and state government institutions have been engaging consultants at will, prompting the Finance Department to step in and impose strict controls on such appointments.
From April 1, 2026, no department or government body will be allowed to engage or pay consultants, PMUs (Project Management Units), or TSUs (Technical Support Units) without prior approval of a designated committee.
Departments and institutions must assess their consultant needs and submit detailed proposals to the Finance Department before April 2026. The Finance Department will present these proposals to the designated committee, which will evaluate and decide how many consultants are genuinely required in each department or institution.
Only after receiving the committee’s explicit approval, will payments to consultants and associated units be allowed beyond April 2026. This policy aims to rationalize consultant appointments and curb indiscriminate hiring.
The committee will function under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and will include the Development Commissioner, Secretaries of the General Administration & Public Grievance Department, Finance Department, and the concerned department’s Secretary as members.
Departments have been directed to submit advance proposals to the Finance Department justifying the requirement for consultants.
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