KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has taken a step towards financial prudence by reducing the extravagant lunches traditionally served during Cabinet meetings.

A new directive from the Prime Minister has curtailed the lavish lunch offerings during Council of Ministers meeting.

Previously, expensive lunches were the norm for these gatherings.

A source within the prime minister’s secretariat said that the lunch for cabinet meetings has been cut down, and there is now a directive from the prime minister to provide only tea and biscuits in case the meeting extends for a longer duration.

The decision is expected to result in substantial cost savings, as millions of rupees were routinely expended on the elaborate lunches held at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ office, the source said.

With Cabinet meetings occurring at least eight times a month, the expenses associated with providing high-end meals were substantial.

“The measures have commenced within the Prime Minister’s office. Previously, a more elaborate lunch was served during cabinet meetings compared to other sessions, but now it has been scaled back,” the source said.

This move follows the PM’s decision to reduce the workforce in the Prime Minister’s Office, with the posts of 68 employees being eliminated in a bid to streamline operations and control expenditures.