Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed an immediate 50 per cent reduction in the fleet of vehicles accompanying the chief minister and ministers, and urged people to cut fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary gold purchases in view of the prevailing global situation.
Chairing a meeting of the chief secretary, DGP, additional chief secretaries and principal secretaries of all departments, Adityanath appealed to people to adopt Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity measures in a practical manner across the state.
He directed officials to remove unnecessary vehicles from official convoys and stressed promoting work-from-home (WFH) culture, virtual meetings, and greater use of public transport, including metro services, PNG and Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses.
PM Modi’s appeal for austerity measures amid rising global oil prices and tensions in West Asia has started reflecting on the ground in Uttar Pradesh, with public representatives voluntarily reducing the use of official vehicles and security fleets to save fuel and cut government expenditure.
Reportedly, UP Minister of State for Jal Shakti Dinesh Khatik on Tuesday surrendered his escort vehicles and announced that he would use a motorcycle for district visits. The minister said he would prefer travelling by train for official work outside the district.
Khatik, who is the MLA from Hastinapur, said he had informed the concerned officials about withdrawing the escort facility. He also reduced the security deployment at his residence and said only one gunner would remain posted there.
PM’s appeal has also prompted action in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal has returned one of the two government vehicles allotted to her and directed officials to reduce the use of official vehicles.
The mayor has instructed that officers allotted two official vehicles should retain only one. She also advised officials to avoid unnecessary movement and bring lunch from home instead of travelling back during the day, saying even small steps could help save fuel.
Read More:
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/50-reduction-in-vip-vehicle-convoy-use-of-public-transport-yogi-adityanath-calls-for-immediate-action-after-pm-s-austerity-push-13917131.html
