Several ministers and chief ministers have reduced the size of their convoys

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for austerity measures, several Union ministers, chief ministers, and other senior personalities have reduced the number of their official vehicles.

In a concrete step towards effectively implementing measures to control expenditure within the government, Prime Minister Modi has significantly reduced the size of his own convoy. Authorities have clarified that this reduction in the number of vehicles has been done while ensuring the necessary security arrangements under the Special Protection Group (SPG) protocol.

As per the standard procedure, the Prime Minister's convoy includes a pilot vehicle, escort vehicles, the Prime Minister's main car, a backup vehicle, an ambulance, and a medical emergency vehicle, as well as a high-tech communication vehicle. According to sources, Prime Minister Modi has also directed that without purchasing any new vehicles, electric vehicles should be given priority and included in the existing fleet wherever possible.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister appealed to the general public to reduce fuel consumption and use public transport as much as possible. The impact of the Prime Minister's appeal is being seen across the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has significantly reduced the number of vehicles in his convoy.

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has also supported the Prime Minister's appeal to save fuel and reduce government expenditure. He has decided to reduce the size of his official convoy by 50% during his two-day visit to Maharashtra.

Inspired by the Prime Minister's appeal, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has taken an exemplary initiative. Despite having the security facility of escort and pilot vehicles under the protocol, he traveled by driving his car himself.

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced that the number of vehicles in the Chief Minister's convoy will be reduced from 13 to just eight "until further orders". Additionally, the use of vehicle convoys during their tours has been completely banned.

In the same direction, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has also issued strict instructions that no unnecessary vehicles should be used for security or other official purposes. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday appealed to the public to follow the austerity measures suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also clarified that a detailed action plan will be announced soon to effectively implement these measures to reduce expenditure in the state. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also shown sensitivity towards the global oil crisis arising from the situation in West Asia.

In response to the nationwide austerity campaign appeal, he has decided to halve the number of vehicles in his personal security convoy. In Delhi, BJP leader Rekha Gupta has announced that cabinet ministers, MLAs, and senior officials will now use only the minimum required vehicles and promote carpooling to ensure better utilization of resources.

The Maharashtra government has immediately banned non-essential air travel to prevent unnecessary expenditure. Now, ministers will have to obtain mandatory prior permission from the Chief Minister's office to use a government plane. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also announced that he will halve the number of vehicles in his convoy.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Gujarat has made an inspirational announcement that he will use public transport like trains and buses instead of helicopters or planes for tours within the state. After the Prime Minister's appeal, the number of vehicles in the Chief Minister's convoy will also be reduced in Bihar.

The state's ministers, public representatives, and officials have been requested to attend programs without any additional vehicles. Along with this, the general public has also been appealed to use public transport like the metro, buses, and autos instead of private vehicles.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict instructions for administrative-level resource conservation. He has ordered a 50% reduction in the number of vehicles for his personal convoy as well as for ministers and bureaucrats.

Additionally, the state has been directed to observe a 'no vehicle day' once a week and conduct 50% of government meetings online. The Chief Minister has also made a special appeal to all public representatives to use public transport at least one day a week.

Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker and former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh has made a significant decision in respect of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal, considering the current global situation. Dr. Singh has decided to reduce the number of vehicles in his official protocol convoy by four.

In the same direction, Chief Minister Mr. Sae has also clarified that only essential vehicles will be included in the carcade during his official tours. Along with this, he has demanded that ministers and officials of various corporations use government resources and vehicles judiciously.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary has halved the number of his official vehicles and decided to undertake official travel only when absolutely necessary. Similarly, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi has decided to cancel his proposed visit to the United States in respect of the Prime Minister's appeal.

To give practical shape to the message of fuel conservation, Madhya Pradesh Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar was seen driving an e-scooter himself, while Satyendra Bhushan Singh, chairman of the corporation for small-scale industries, has started traveling by e-rickshaw after giving up his official vehicle.

Delhi Education Minister Aatish Sood is also using the metro and e-rickshaw for official work to convey a positive message in society about fuel conservation. The Chhattisgarh government has also taken an innovative initiative in this direction; in several districts, including Korba, SP, and other police officials have started going to the office on bicycles after giving up their official vehicles.

In Bihar's Aurangabad district, an unusual example of the Prime Minister's appeal was seen, where District Judge Rajiv Ranjan Kumar reached the court on a bicycle on Wednesday morning. District Judge Kumar took this step in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message to save petrol and diesel amidst rising fuel prices due to the global energy crisis and the US-Iran war.

This initiative by the judiciary sends a commendable message to society regarding environmental and resource conservation.