New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI): Curtail the purchase of laptops, avoid transferring officials and reduce foreign trips and miscellaneous expenses.

This advice forms part of a circular issued by the Finance Ministry to various ministries to cut expenditure in view of "tough" times faced by the economy.

In the circular issued last week, the Finance Ministry has said the ministries should curtail the procurement of even laptops, sources said.

The ministries have also been asked to avoid transfers so that expenditure related to it on account of allowances like, travel allowance and transportation of luggage could be saved.

The Finance Ministry also wants reduction of foreign and domestic visits to cut expenses, the sources said.

The departments have also been asked to check their miscellaneous expenses which are incurred mostly for meeting their day to day requirements.

While issuing the advisory, the Finance Ministry has said that the country is witnessing "tough" economic situation and all ministries will have to share the burden, they said.