Fadnavis cancels foreign tours of Maharashtra ministers, bureaucrats
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, 13 May ordered the immediate cancellation of all previously approved foreign tours for state ministers and senior civil servants, signalling a sharp shift toward fiscal austerity in the state's administrative functioning. The directive, issued in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for restraint on foreign travel, aims to reduce the burden on the state exchequer and conserve foreign exchange amid global economic uncertainties.
Key Directives Issued
According to government sources, the state administration has instructed all departments to stall upcoming international visits intended for administrative work or study tours. In place of physical travel, all essential international agreements, meetings, and consultations are to be conducted via video conferencing. The shift is expected to save significant amounts in airfare, accommodation, and related travel expenses, potentially running into millions of rupees.
Ministers Lead by Example
State Minister Shambhuraj Desai, who holds the portfolios of Tourism, Mining, and Women & Child Development, was among the first to act on the directive. Desai cancelled his planned tour of London and Paris, which was reportedly a personal family vacation scheduled three months in advance. His decision was widely lauded in political circles, with the sentiment of
