From cutting down official fleet size and cycling to offices, to directing departments to take steps for limited use of government vehicles, Haryana ministers are leaving no stone unturned to save fuel in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to cut down fuel consumption and spend resources wisely.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was among the first to reduce the number of vehicles in his official convoy, cutting down fleet size by half. Saini has also resolved to go without any government vehicle one day every week.
Other ministers followed suit; some drastically reduced their official fleet size, while others issued directions to their departments mandating virtual meetings wherever feasible, and limited use of government vehicles.
On Monday, some ministers, including Krishan Kumar Bedi and Gaurav Gautam arrived in bicycles to attend a meeting of the state cabinet.
Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Monday said he prefers to travel in his security vehicle only when he is on field visits.
Minister Krishan Bedi, who arrived for the cabinet meeting after cycling the 2-km distance from his official residence here, said, “We are also citizens of this country, and it is our responsibility to act on what our Prime Minister has said." “We will use public transport wherever possible," he said.
Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij said the transport department will soon procure 1,000 new buses, including 500 electric buses.
Vij also batted for giving tax concessions to people purchasing EV vehicles. “I have already moved a file in this regard. We want that people should be encouraged to purchase electric vehicles," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reduced the size of his official convoy following his appeal for fuel conservation, prompting several chief ministers of BJP ruled states and other senior leaders to adopt similar measures.
Following the Prime Minister call, Chief Minister Saini had directed departments to take appropriate fuel-saving measures, including limited use of government vehicles.
In line with these directions, Haryana Public Health Engineering and Public Works (Buildings and Roads) Minister Ranbir Gangwa initiated action regarding use of government vehicles in both his departments.
On Gangwa’s direction, a review was conducted to assess the number of government vehicles being used in the departments.
During the review, orders were issued by the minister’s office to immediately withdraw nine vehicles from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and eight vehicles from the Public Works Department.
These vehicles were being used at the department headquarters and related offices. The minister has also removed the pilot vehicle from his own convoy.
Gangwa said the Haryana government is working towards fuel conservation, environmental protection and responsible use of government resources.
Gangwa and several other ministers have issued directions to promote virtual meetings wherever possible, avoid unnecessary travel and adopt vehicle-pooling to ensure fuel conservation.
Officers have been directed to regularly monitor vehicle log books and fuel expenses.
Gangwa said ensuring transparent and accountable use of public resources is the government’s priority.
