Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and responsible use of public resources has triggered a nationwide response, with several senior leaders, ministers and top police officers reducing the size of their official convoys and adopting measures aimed at curbing unnecessary expenditure amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.
During a recent Union Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked ministers to spend carefully, save fuel and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Sources said he advised ministers to reduce the size of their official convoys, limit foreign trips and use government resources more responsibly.
Modi has already started following these steps by reducing the number of vehicles in his convoy during recent visits to Gujarat and Assam, while keeping all required security arrangements in place.
Sources also said the prime minister suggested using electric vehicles in official convoys wherever possible without buying new vehicles.
Officials clarified that these measures are not austerity steps, but part of an effort to use resources wisely, save fuel and reduce dependence on imported goods.
Following the Prime Minister’s appeal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reduced the size of his convoy to less than half while maintaining required security protocols.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also decided to cut the size of his official convoy by half in support of the fuel-saving initiative. Officials at the Raj Bhawan said the decision was taken to promote responsible expenditure and efficient use of resources.
Meanwhile, as per news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh also joined the initiative by travelling alone in his vehicle without using escort and pilot vehicles provided under official protocol.
Following Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s decision to reduce the size of his official convoy, several senior Jammu and Kashmir Police officers have also reportedly started downsizing their cavalcades in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and responsible use of resources.
Sources said the Centre was encouraging public representatives and government functionaries to adopt practical measures such as reducing fuel use, limiting unnecessary travel and promoting work-from-home practices wherever possible to lower operational costs and reduce pressure on imports and foreign exchange outflows.
Officials maintained that there would be no reduction in welfare schemes, subsidies or capital expenditure, and the focus remained solely on responsible and efficient use of resources.(KINS)
Ishtiyaq Kar
