PM Forex-Saving Push: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta asks ministers to avoid foreign trips for the next one year

The Goa government on Thursday imposed an immediate ban on all official foreign visits of public servants funded through the state exchequer in view of the need to conserve foreign exchange.

The decision was taken following the recent appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said a memorandum issued by the state Finance Department.

Approvals already granted for official foreign visits stand cancelled, said the memo issued by Under Secretary (Finance Revenue and Control) Naresh Gaude.

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday announced a 50 per cent reduction in the number of vehicles in his convoy following Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce petrol and diesel consumption.

Tamang also announced other austerity measures that included the withdrawal of pilot vehicles assigned to the Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker, a 20 per cent cut in fuel usage for vehicles allotted to ministers and MLAs and the introduction of pooled vehicle services across government departments.

Amid the austerity move by PM Narendra Modi, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta appealed non‑practical classes, guest lectures and administrative meetings be held online. "The Education Department will ensure this across universities. For any issues in flexible working, the Labour Department will set up a single‑window help desk. We also request courts to maximise online hearings to reduce transport needs," she said.

NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar on the recent crisis, said, "I have requested the Prime Minister that the government should convene an all-party meeting... This time, I hope the Prime Minister will personally attend... Since morning, I have been watching TV, where I saw that some people are travelling by motorcycle while others are coming on foot. Someone said, 'I am a minister, I have reduced the number of vehicles in my convoy from 17 vehicles to 8.'"

He also said that such excessive state resources should never have been allocated in the first place, and leadership must approach public office with greater accountability. Pawar also said expressed that the immediate priority must be stabilising the situation to protect the national economy from severe disruption. 

In a statement, The Ministry of Power, in order to push for fuel saving and to reduce consumption, is introducing a rotational 20% work-from-home policy and encouraging the use of public transport and carpooling. A new voluntary portal will track family vehicle mileage, and employees demonstrating minimal car usage over a month will be rewarded.

These initiatives are in line with recent directives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at reducing emissions.

In a press conference, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announced that no minister of the Delhi government will travel abroad for the next one year. The decision came after PM Narendra Modi's appeal for prudent fuel consumption and the efficient use of resources to reduce the impact of the ongoing oil crisis on households and the broader economy.

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria said he has asked officials of the Union Territory to avoid coming by four-wheelers one day in a week.

Kataria said the UT officials have been asked not to come by four-wheelers on every Wednesday. They can come either by bicycles, using public transport, on foot or they may be dropped off by a family member, he said.

He further said the administration is also considering that school students avoid travelling on a vehicle.

Kataria also said he has written to his security officials to minimise his security convoy.

(PTI)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday arrived on a motorcycle at the state Assembly to attend the swearing-in of new members of the Legislative Council. BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar also accompanied the Chief Minister.

On Wednesday, CM Fadnavis announced a series of forex-saving measures, including halving the number of vehicles in the convoys of his cabinet colleagues, and cancelling foreign tours of ministers and officials.

During outstation visits, the number of vehicles in ministerial convoys should not exceed the prescribed limit, and the police commissioner or superintendent of police concerned will be responsible for ensuring compliance.

(PTI)

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal travelled in an e-rickshaw from the railway station to his residence in Rajasthan's Bikaner on Thursday to promote fuel conservation. The Union minister, who represents the Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency, said the move was aimed at promoting fuel conservation in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has also reduced the number of vehicles in his convoy and directed the chief secretary, senior officials, and public representatives to limit vehicles in their convoys to save petrol and diesel.

(PTI)

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has convened a high-level meeting in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forex-saving appeal. Officials said the Chief Minister is scheduled to hold a press conference at 3 pm today, where she is likely to make a special appeal to residents of Delhi seeking greater public participation in the initiative.

(Inputs by Sushant Mehra)

Joining a growing list of top NDA leaders, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has also reduced the size of his convoy as part of the Prime Minister's forex-saving push.

(Inputs by Aishwarya Paliwal)

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday travelled with a significantly reduced convoy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and restrained expenditure.

Officials said Choudhary is no longer using a long fleet of vehicles during official movements. In the morning when the Chief Minister left Patna Airport for Darbhanga, his convoy reportedly consisted of only three vehicles.

In line with the PM's forex-saving push, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced a 50 per cent reduction in the number of vehicles in his convoy. Officials said only essential vehicles would remain in the Chief Minister’s fleet for security reasons.

Saini also pledged to work without using vehicles one day every week as part of the fuel-saving initiative.

He directed ministers and officials across departments to minimise vehicle usage during official travel and urged citizens to support the campaign by using public transport as much as possible.

(Inputs by Aman Bhardwaj)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a 50 per cent reduction in the number of vehicles used in his convoy during district tours, according to the CMO. The decision was taken in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for prudent fuel usage and responsible expenditure amid concerns over the impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict on global fuel prices and fiscal pressures.

During a review meeting with senior police and intelligence officials, Naidu directed that the reduced convoy system be implemented immediately. He also urged ministers, public representatives and other VIPs to minimise the use of official vehicles and follow similar austerity measures.

(ANI inputs)