Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced that officials of the agriculture and rural development ministries headed by him have collectively decided not to purchase gold for the next one year.
He made the announcement in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to citizens for judicious use of resources to strengthen the Indian economy, and shield people from the adverse impact of the West Asia conflict.
“Officials of the agriculture and rural development and related departments have collectively decided not to purchase gold for the next one year. Official tours and visits will be limited and regulated according to necessity. Physical visits will be undertaken only for essential work, while other activities will be conducted through video conferencing and virtual platforms,” the minister said.
Chouhan said a nationwide “Save Farms Campaign” will be conducted for 15 days starting from June 1, aimed at creating awareness among farmers about balanced and necessary use of fertilisers.
He said upcoming regional conferences related to the agriculture sector will be organised through virtual platforms to promote technology-based effective communication and coordination.
The Union minister said a rotation-based “work from home” system will be implemented for 20 per cent of employees.
“A decision has been taken to regulate and limit electricity consumption in offices. A carpooling system will be adopted one day of every week for saving fuel and ensure better utilisation of resources,” he said.
He said the initiative will be extended up to the Director level, alongside a targeted reduction in the usage of approximately one-third of the vehicles within the Ministry, with the aim of curtailing expenses related to fuel, vehicle maintenance, driver arrangements, and other associated costs.
The Ministry of Agriculture also emphasised on reducing unnecessary consumption of edible oils to decrease import dependence and encourage a healthier lifestyle.
It has been decided to launch a special public awareness campaign to promote the balanced and healthy consumption of edible oils. This initiative aims to curb excessive consumption, foster positive health outcomes, and bolster the national objective of reducing the country’s dependence on imported edible oils.
“Furthermore, the ongoing mission to boost domestic production of edible oils and oilseeds will be further strengthened to enhance its effectiveness,” Chouhan added.
