Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and his Cabinet have decided to limit the number of vehicles in their official convoys, drop pilot escorts, and allow bureaucrats to attend official meetings virtually, amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for reduced fuel consumption in the wake of the conflict in West Asia.
Announcing the decisions on Wednesday, Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel said the Prime Minister restricted his official convoy to only two vehicles, a decision he implemented during his visit to Rajula in Amreli district to inaugurate a trauma centre.
“The Prime Minister has decided that his official convoy will not include more than two vehicles. Deputy Prime Minister Harsh Sanghavi has also canceled his scheduled visit to the United States with the aim of reducing air travel,” he said.
Sanghavi was scheduled to attend the second Gujarati conference organized by the Federation of Gujarati Associations, USA, later this month.
Patel said the entire Cabinet collectively supported the directive. “All ministers will follow the Prime Minister’s lead regarding the size of the convoy. They have decided not to use a pilot vehicle. Instead, they will use online maps to navigate to their destinations directly, without any vehicles driving or trailing behind,” he said.
Labor and Employment Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya said the state government would discuss the possibility of adopting a work-from-home model for private companies wherever possible.
Governor Acharya Devvrat on Tuesday announced that he will not use helicopters or air travel for trips within the state and will reduce the number of vehicles in his convoy until the situation in West Asia returns to normal. He directed the vice-chancellors of all universities in Gujarat to observe a combustion engine-free day at least once a week, and appealed to the administration to use electric cars and bikes wherever possible.
Prime Minister Modi appealed to citizens to limit foreign travel, reduce fuel consumption, postpone gold purchases and revive work-from-home practices in view of the ongoing crisis in West Asia, saying these measures will reduce India’s fuel consumption and help save foreign exchange.
