CM Fadnavis orders cancellation of foreign tours of ministers, bureaucrats
Mumbai, May 13
In a move towards administrative austerity, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday entered 'action mode', ordering the immediate cancellation of previously approved foreign tours for state ministers and high-ranking civil servants.
Based on the CM's directives, previously approved foreign tours for ministers and bureaucrats have been suspended, and international collaborations will be handled via virtual platforms to reduce government spending and support the national fuel-saving campaign.
The government sources said the state administration has issued instructions to stall all upcoming international visits intended for administrative work or study tours. The primary objective behind this sudden crackdown is to reduce the burden on the state exchequer and send a strong message of fiscal discipline and austerity to the public.
To ensure that governance remains uninterrupted, the government has directed that all essential international agreements, meetings, and consultations be conducted via video conferencing. This shift is expected to save millions of rupees in airfare, accommodation, and related travel expenses.
Responding to the call for restraint, State Minister Shambhuraj Desai (Minister for Tourism, Mining, and Women & Child Development) took the lead by cancelling his planned tour of London and Paris. While the trip was reportedly a personal family vacation planned three months in advance, Minister Desai opted to cancel it to align with the national sentiment of fuel conservation and foreign exchange saving. "Country first" was the underlying sentiment echoed in his decision, which has been widely lauded in political circles.
Following PM Modi's call for austerity, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly also saw a mass cancellation of a planned study tour to Japan by MLAs, as confirmed by Speaker Rahul Narwekar. The state government also decided to go for digital communication (video conferencing) for international dialogues, marking a strategic shift in how "study tours" are conducted, prioritising technology over expensive physical travel.
The government's move comes after PM Modi urged leaders and officials to avoid unnecessary foreign travel and expenditures to conserve foreign exchange amid global economic uncertainties and the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has impacted fuel prices and international stability.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good move but it's just the first step. We need to see actual savings being redirected to healthcare and education. Also, what about business-class flights for VIPs within India? That too should be curtailed.
Respect to Minister Desai for cancelling his personal trip too. That takes integrity. But I want to see this austerity applied uniformly – no exceptions for "high priority" visits. Bechara taxpayer ka paisa hai yeh.
Smart decision, but I wonder if this is just temporary political optics? The real test will be whether they maintain this after the media moves on. Virtual diplomacy is the future anyway.
Well done CM! But why only foreign tours? What about the hundreds of crores spent on politicians' security, cars, bungalows, and pension? A BJP-led government should lead by example. Start from the top.
Real leadership is when you make hard choices. PM Modi's call for austerity and Fadnavis ji acting on it shows India is serious about fiscal prudence. But I hope this isn't just for show – monitor the savings and publish them publicly!
As an NRI, I appreciate this. But what about the millions spent on
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