Chhattisgarh CM cuts down convoy size to push for fuel saving amid PM Modi's austerity call
Raipur, May 16
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday cut down his convoy size as Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for the austerity drive following the impact on fuel prices amid the West Asia crisis.
He urged the people to minimise fuel consumption, underlining that he has reduced the number of vehicles in his official convoys. The ministers have also reduced the number of vehicles they use.
"Responding to the call of our Prime Minister, we have voluntarily reduced the number of vehicles in our official convoys, and our Ministers have also reduced the number of vehicles they use. We appeal to everyone to make adjustments according to their own circumstances to minimise the consumption of diesel and petrol, which is the most practical approach right now," he said.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "We have complete faith in our Prime Minister, who successfully steered 1.4 billion Indians through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are confident that we will navigate this situation as well."
The decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made seven appeals to citizens to contribute towards economic resilience by reducing dependence on imported fuel and adopting environmentally sustainable alternatives amid the West Asia conflict.
On Sunday, PM Modi urged citizens to prioritise work from home, cut fuel consumption, avoid foreign travel for a year, adopt Swadeshi products, reduce cooking oil use, shift to natural farming and curb gold purchases, while addressing a gathering in Secunderabad.
To combat the volatility of fuel prices, PM Modi urged a shift in how India moves. He requested citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption by using the metro and public transport wherever available, opting for carpooling when private vehicles are necessary, preferring railway transport for the movement of goods, and increasing the use of electric vehicles wherever possible.
Meanwhile, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda have reduced the size of their convoys. Chief Ministers of several states, including Rekha Gupta, Yogi Adityanath, Mohan Yadav, Bhajanlal Sharma, Devendra Fadnavis and Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, have also downsized their convoys.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is a good start, but let's be honest—the real savings need to come from cutting wasteful subsidies and cracking down on fuel adulteration. The common man has been cutting back for months. CMs reducing their convoy is symbolic, but we need systemic changes too. Still, every bit helps. 🙏
As someone living in the US, it's interesting to see a top-down approach on fuel conservation. Here it's all about market prices and individual choice. But in India, with the West Asia crisis, the government's call for austerity makes sense. Hope the savings trickle down to the people in terms of lower prices.
Good step by CM Sai ji. But I wish they'd also focus on improving public transport in smaller cities. In Raipur, the bus network is poor, so people have to use personal vehicles. Carpooling is a great idea, but without proper infrastructure, it's tough. Still, setting an example from the top is welcome.
I appreciate the gesture, but can we also talk about fuel taxes? The central and state governments earn massive revenue from petrol and diesel. If we're serious about reducing consumption, maybe reduce taxes so people feel less burdened. Otherwise, asking people to cut back while prices remain high feels one-sided.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.