Several states on Tuesday announced austerity measures, including reducing official convoys, imposing restrictions on foreign travel, holding virtual meetings and increasing use of public transport, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel and cut non-essential expenditures amid rising global energy prices linked to the West Asia crisis.
In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed ministers not to use government aircraft except for urgent official work, as such requests require his approval. Ministers have also begun to reduce travel and shift to virtual meetings.
The government has not rolled out any formal policy after PM Modi’s appeal, so the decisions of ministers and the administration to limit travel are ad hoc. “The Prime Minister may issue formal directions on Thursday when the Cabinet meeting is scheduled,” a senior BJP minister said.
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Minister of State Rajesh Agarwal said that the state is awaiting directions from the Center on austerity measures.
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar canceled his visit to France to attend the Cannes Film Festival and said he would participate virtually instead. “Relevant persons will remain present as per the coordination and support plan related to Marathi films participating in the festival,” Shelar said. The film festival is scheduled to be held from May 12 to 23.
The austerity drive may also lead to the cancellation of a proposed study tour to Japan by 22 Maharashtra legislators led by Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. “We were invited by the governors of Wakayama and Okayama to discuss parliamentary best practices… I don’t think the tour will take place,” he said.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Pawankole said he has started holding official meetings online instead of summoning district collectors and officers to Mumbai. Fisheries and Port Development Minister Nitish Rane also shifted to virtual meetings.
Tourism Minister and Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai has canceled a family trip to Europe.
Read also: After Prime Minister’s appeal, Yogi orders reduction of official vehicle fleets by 50%, postpones work from home
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a 50% reduction in the number of vehicles accompanying ministers and officials in convoys, and directed departments to increase virtual meetings and enhance work-from-home arrangements.
“The world is witnessing instability and everyone must be careful. Countries must be ready to follow the Prime Minister’s call,” Adityanath said while chairing a meeting.
In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav imposed a ban on political vehicle rallies and curtailed his own motorcade, despite his right to Z-plus insurance. An official from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Yadav’s convoy will now include only eight vehicles instead of the usual thirteen. “Until further orders, my convoy will consist of minimum number of vehicles for security reasons. There will be no gatherings of vehicles during my rides,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta posted on
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood traveled by metro from INA to Karkardooma court.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the BJP, calling the party a “threat” to the country’s economy and claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to the people for austerity reflects the ruling party’s “regression”.
