Fadnavis rode from his official residence ‘Varsha’ to Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai, along with BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday arrived at Vidhan Bhavan on a motorcycle to attend the MLC’s swearing-in ceremony, in a symbolic endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce fuel consumption amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.
Fadnavis rode from his official residence ‘Varsha’ to Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai, with BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar riding on the back seat.
Fadnavis said, according to what was reported by Reuters, “The Prime Minister asked us all to be careful in light of the global situation, and accordingly, we need to make efforts to reduce gasoline and diesel consumption. We have all reduced the size of our convoys.” ANI News Agency.
“Today, I came here on a bike. We are trying to figure out how to save the country money. Now, we will not hold big programmes. Wherever we can save foreign exchange, we will do our best to do it in our own way,” he said.
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Why did CM Fadnavis ride a bike?
Fadnavis on Wednesday also announced a series of cost-cutting measures, including halving the number of vehicles in ministers’ convoys and canceling foreign tours of ministers and government officials.
He also directed the ministers not to use government aircraft except for urgent official business, and even such requests require his personal approval.
The move comes after Prime Minister Modi urged governments and citizens to reduce fuel consumption and take action in light of rising energy prices and disruption to global supplies due to conflict in West Asia.
Read also | Reducing foreign travel and official convoys: The states announce their measures after the Prime Minister’s appeal to save fuel
Move around India to reduce fuel costs
Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda reduced the size of their convoys, while chief ministers, including Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Yadav, Bhajanlal Sharma and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, also reduced the size of their convoys.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has reduced the size of her convoy by 60% following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel, with the Prime Minister’s convoy now comprising just four vehicles, including two electric cars.
Several Maharashtra ministers also joined
In a similar move, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has decided not to travel to Cannes and will instead participate virtually in the event.
Meanwhile, 22 lawmakers may also have to give up a proposed study tour to Japan as part of the state government’s measures.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Pawankole said he has already started holding official meetings online instead of summoning district collectors and officials to Mumbai.
Fisheries and Port Development Minister Nitish Rane also shifted to virtual meetings.
“He has also asked the offices to switch to electric vehicles, as the Prime Minister has also appealed to,” an official from his office said.
The government will also conduct a stringent review of vehicles allocated to various departments.
