Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Mrinal Saikia, representing the Khumtai Assembly constituency in Assam, on Wednesday called for sweeping reductions in VIP convoy culture and outsized security arrangements for ministers, arguing that such practices burden ordinary commuters and drain public finances unnecessarily.

What Saikia Said

Speaking to reporters on the subject of austerity in government spending, Saikia drew a clear distinction between price rises — which governments have limited power to control — and avoidable official expenditure, which he said can and should be curtailed. 'The government may not be able to reduce every price rise, but unnecessary government expenditure can definitely be reduced,' the legislator said.

Saikia singled out the practice of ministers travelling with large vehicle fleets and heavy police escorts. 'Except for the Chief Minister, there is no need for ministers to move around with so many vehicles. Sometimes I myself drive alone and I see huge convoys passing at high speed. What is the need for 10 to 15 vehicles moving together like that?' he asked.

The Traffic and Safety Concern

Beyond the financial argument, Saikia raised a road-safety dimension that is often overlooked in debates about VIP movement. He noted that pilot scooters routinely block entire roads, preventing other vehicles from passing and creating sudden panic among commuters. 'Many times people suddenly move aside in fear when pilot vehicles rush through roads. There is always a possibility of accidents and it causes immense inconvenience to the public. Naturally, people become angry,' he said.

The legislator argued that the disruption is not merely an inconvenience but a genuine hazard — one that also fuels public resentment toward the political class.

A Call for Permanent Administrative Reform

Saikia framed his criticism as more than a one-time austerity appeal. He called for a lasting shift in administrative culture, urging that reduced security protocols become the norm rather than a temporary response to fiscal pressure. 'So many police personnel remain engaged for VIP movement. That much deployment is not necessary. This is not only about economic austerity, it should become a permanent administrative culture to avoid unnecessary expenses,' he said.

Context: Centre's Austerity Push

Saikia's remarks come as the Assam state government has already moved to downsize ministerial convoys in line with an austerity directive from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issued against the backdrop of the West Asia crisis stemming from the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. The BJP MLA's public comments signal that at least some legislators within the ruling party view the convoy-reduction order as a floor, not a ceiling — and are pushing for more structural change rather than a temporary adjustment.

Notably, this is not the first time VIP convoy culture has drawn criticism in India; similar calls have periodically emerged from within government ranks but have rarely translated into lasting policy reform at the state level.