Govt pushes austerity measures amid gulf tensions

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Following the Centre’s advisory amid the war-like situation in Gulf countries, the state government has sent a draft on austerity measures to district administrations. A circular for implementation is expected to be issued by the General Administration Department, with the measures likely to remain in force for the next six months.

The proposed measures include avoiding foreign tours by government officials, promoting the use of electric vehicles and public transport, reducing the number of official vehicles, and encouraging officers to travel by bus at least once a week. Online district-level seminars, curbs on unnecessary electricity usage in offices, and expansion of solar energy under the Surya Ghar scheme have also been suggested. The government has further proposed reducing edible oil consumption, promoting PNG gas connections, cancelling duplicate Ujjwala scheme registrations, encouraging natural fertilisers over chemical fertilisers, and avoiding the appointment of consultant agencies for six months. Police have also been asked not to permit two-wheeler and four-wheeler rallies. “The general administration department will issue a circular regarding implementation of the government directives in all district-level government offices,” said Janardan Vidhate, resident deputy collector.