All the new vacant positions and acting appointments have been frozen in the Civil Service with effect from 2nd of this month.

This has been confirmed by Permanent Secretary Public Service Commission, Parmesh Chand who said this is to curb government expenditure.

He said the duties of those positions affected, will need to be redeployed or re-assigned to other officers in the same grade or a grade above.

He said the only exceptions will be cases of acting appointments absolutely necessary for the exercise of statutory functions but prior approval of PSC will be sought.

Chand has also highlighted that consideration for filling of vacant posts will only be given for technical and professional positions.

He said all government advertisements for vacancies have ceased, however priority areas such as health, education and engineering will be considered given the essential nature of their operation.

There have also been controls placed on compensation of leave and other related allowances.