Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma cuts convoy vehicles, backs Modi's fuel conservation push
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Tuesday, 13 May issued sweeping directives to curb government vehicle usage across the state, ordering that his own official convoy be trimmed to a minimum — a move aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent national call for fuel conservation and reduced dependence on imported energy.
What the Directives Say
Under the new instructions, CM Sharma has specifically directed that unnecessary vehicles must not be added to his convoy under the pretext of security arrangements. The order extends to all state officials and elected public representatives, who have been asked to exercise restraint in vehicle usage and keep their own convoys limited and economical.
The directive has been formally communicated to all senior officials across the state, including Chief Secretary V. Srinivas and other top administrative officers. Officials have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel and reduce excessive vehicle movement wherever operationally feasible.
The National Context: Modi's Appeal for Austerity
The move follows a high-profile appeal by Prime Minister Modi on Sunday, in which he called for collective participation to help India withstand global economic uncertainties, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures — all exacerbated by elevated global crude oil prices and an energy crisis linked to the US-Iran war.
Modi urged citizens to adopt what he described as
