Decree 6.649
Presidential Instructions for the Elimination of Luxurious or Superfluous Expenses in the National Public Sector
Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
No. 39146 Caracas, March 25th, 2009
Decree No. 6649, March 24th, 2009
HUGO CHÁVEZ FRÍAS
President of the Republic,
in Ministers’ Council,
By virtue of the powers vested in him by No. 11, Article 236 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in concordance with the provisions of Article 11 of the Decree with Status, Validity and Force of Organic Law for the Financial Management of the Public Sector and Article 20 of the Decree with Status, Validity and Force of Organic Law of Public Administration,
WHEREAS
To optimize the rationalization of spending in the public sector it is necessary to implement measures that favor the application of austerity criteria in the management, handling and custody of public funds and assets,
WHEREAS
It is the duty of the Executive to strengthen, by exemplary measures, efficient use, fulfillment of the sufficiency principle and adaptation of the means to the institutional ends regarding the resources and assets of the State in the entities of the National Public Administration,
DECREES
the following
PRESIDENTIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ELIMINATION OF LUXURIOUS OR SUPERFLUOUS EXPENSES IN THE NATIONAL PUBLIC SECTOR
Article 1
These instructions aim at establishing the norms that will eliminate luxurious or superfluous spending in the national public sector. Said norms shall be strictly obeyed by all the entities of the National Public Administration.
Article 2
Superfluous or luxury spending is forbidden in the national public sector. Only with the authorization of the Executive Vice-President and after having justified the reasons for its approval, the following will be allowed in a rational manner:
- Acquisition of mobile phone services and of international direct dial, as well as of internet use.
- Acquisition and rental of executive vehicles.
- Assignment to official missions abroad.
- Contracting highly specialized consulting services in areas such as auditing, management, legal counseling, engineering and architecture, among others.
- Acquisition and remodeling of sites and furniture used as/in public offices and official residences.
- Acquisition of technological equipment and platforms.
- Acquisition of promotional material, advertising and publications related to the activities of the public entity.
- Celebration of social receptions that correspond to protocolar reasons.
- Acquisition of goods for flower or ornamental arrangements.
Article 3
An adjustment is ordered in the higher levels of the contracted payroll of the National Public Administration, as per the guidelines that be issued by the Ministry of the People’s Power for Planning and Development.
Article 4
The setting of maximum limits in the total remunerations of high-level personnel of the National Public Administration, both Central and Decentralized, is ordered, as per the guidelines that be issued by the Executive Vice-pesident.
Article 5
Establishing bonuses for high-level personnel in the National Public Administration, both Central and Decentralized, is forbidden, as per the guidelines that be issued by the Executive Vice-President.
Article 6
The fees corresponding to the contracted services of professional and technical counseling in the National Public Administration, both Central and Decentralized, shall be standardized as per the guidelines that be issued by the Executive Vice-President after obtaining the opinion of the governing body of the respective entity.
Article 7
The highest officials in the States and Municipalities, as well as the highest officials in the other branches of public power, are urged to adopt austerity measures that lead to rationalizing the use of public resources.
Article 8
All the Ministers of the People’s Power are in charge of executing this decree.
Article 9
Decree No. 345 dated September 14th, 1994 published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Venezuela No. 35552 dated September 22nd, 1994 is hereby repealed, together with any other provision that collides with this decree.
Signed in Caracas, on the twenty fourth day of March, two thousand nine. Historical years 198th, 150th and 11th.
May this decree be executed,
(L.S.)
HUGO CHÁVEZ FRÍAS
The decree has been countersigned (L.S.) by the Executive Vice-President and all the Ministers.
