New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced his convoy size, days after he appealed for cutting down fuel consumption and spending more wisely, prompting several BJP chief ministers and other leaders to adopt similar measures.
The prime minister's appeal is not about spending less but spending more wisely by reducing fuel consumption, avoidable dependence on imported goods and foreign-currency-intensive services, official sources said, stressing that the Modi government is not cutting capital expenditure, welfare spending or subsidies.
Also Read: PM Narendra Modi asks SPG to halve convoy size amid austerity push: Report
A downsizing in the prime minister's convoy was implemented in his recent domestic visits. The reduction was done while maintaining essential security components as per the SPG protocol, the sources said,
Modi's convoy size was cut in Gujarat and Assam, immediately after his speech in Hyderabad during which he suggested an array of measures for reducing expenditure on imports.
The sources said the prime minister also asked for electric vehicles to be included in his convoy, wherever possible, without making new purchases.
They emphasised that Modi's appeal to conserve fuel, adopt work-from-home where possible, and reduce avoidable foreign-exchange outflows were not "austerity measures", which have a negative economic connotation.
"Austerity" usually suggests budget cuts, reduced government spending, lower subsidies, and fiscal tightening, they noted.
But the prime minister's appeal is not about spending less, it is about spending more wisely by reducing fuel consumption, avoidable dependence on imported goods and foreign-currency-intensive services, the sources said.
During a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by the prime minister, he is learnt to have told ministers that they must focus on cost-cutting and consciously reduce spending of resources in the wake of the West Asia crisis.
Sources said the prime minister also urged the ministers to cut down their convoy size and foreign visits, after which several ministers announced steps in this regard.
Taking a cue from the prime minister's appeal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed an immediate 50 per cent reduction in the fleet of vehicles accompanying him and ministers.
Adityanath also appealed to people to adopt the prime minister's call for spending more wisely.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced that he will use a minimum number of vehicles for his convoy and asked his ministerial colleagues to do the same. He also encouraged people to use public transport.
Also Read: PM Modi calls for pandemic-era austerity drive
"Until the next order, there will be a minimum number of vehicles in my cavalcade from a security perspective, and there will be no vehicle rallies. All ministers will also use a minimum number of vehicles while travelling," Yadav said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced limits on official vehicles used by ministers, MLAs and other public representatives.
She also urged Delhi residents to adopt carpooling and make greater use of public transport instead of private vehicles.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma similarly directed that his convoy use be minimised. He also instructed all officials and public representatives to adopt similar practices.
The Maharashtra government has directed all ministers to obtain prior approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before using aircraft for official travel.
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde has switched to an electric vehicle as a step towards energy conservation and sustainable governance.
All ministers of Shiv Sena have also been advised to minimise non-essential travel and reduce the number of vehicles used for official movement, official sources said.
They have been directed to strictly follow these guidelines and contribute towards fuel conservation, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat announced that he will travel within the state in trains, state transport buses and public transport instead of helicopters and flights, while also reducing the size of official convoys to save fuel.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi also cancelled his planned trip to the United States after the prime minister's appeal to reduce foreign travel.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary has announced that he has reduced the number of vehicles used for him by half and will undertake official travel only when necessary.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his government would unveil precautionary measures within two days to mitigate the impact of the West Asia conflict on the state.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said he has reduced the size of his convoy and that there will be special focus on the use of electric vehicles in future.
Himachal Governor Kavinder Gupta declared Lok Bhavan a 'fuel conservation zone' and appealed to the universities to lead the conservation movement.
Amid the crisis in West Asia, Modi on Sunday suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
