Archive · 23 Sep 2025
Finance Ministry Bans Festival Gifts with Public Funds
The Finance Ministry has told government departments they can't use public money to buy gifts for Diwali and other festivals.
This means no presents.
The goal is to save money and be careful with government spending, and this policy has been stated by the Department of Expenditure.
This order, signed by PK Singh, begins from Diwali this year as a way to avoid unnecessary costs and use resources wisely.
Similar rules have been stated previously.
The Finance Ministry has banned spending on gifts for Diwali and other festivals.
The directive applies to all ministries, departments, and government bodies.
The ban aims to curb non-essential expenditure.
The policy seeks prudent use of public resources.
The order comes into effect from Diwali, October 20.
- Who
- Finance Ministry
- What
- Banned spending on gifts for Diwali and other festivals
- When
- October 20 (Diwali)
- Where
- India
- Why
- Promote fiscal discipline and curb non-essential spending
Government
Public
Expenditure
Government
Restricting spending on gifts
Public
Potentially hindering employee morale and/or public perception
- Government Action
- Prohibited spending on gifts for Diwali and other festivals
- Effective Date
- October 20 (Diwali)
- Issuing Body
- Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance
- Recipient
- Ministries/Departments and other Government of India bodies
- Reason
- Promote fiscal discipline and curb non-essential spending
- Signed by
- PK Singh, Joint Secretary
Sources
Fiscal discipline: Finance Ministry orders zero spending on Diwali and other festival gifts
'Don't spend on gifts for Diwali, other festivals': Finance Ministry tells Govt deptartments, PSUs in fresh directive
No-gift thrift before Diwali: Finance ministry bans festive spending by government departments - Telegraph India
Centre asks ministries and departments not to spend public money for Diwali gifts
