Industrialist Harsh Goenka joins PM Modi’s austerity drive: RPG Group pushes WFH, slashes travel, and goes electric

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modirsquos call for austerity fuel conservation and efficient resource use amid global uncertainties industrialist Harsh Goenka has directed the implementation of strict costsaving and sustainability measures across the RPG GroupIn an internal communication addressed to employees and later shared on social media platform X Goenka said corporate India must demonstrate leadership by aligning with national prioritiesThe RPG Group outlined five major initiatives as part of the directive Employees who can perform their duties remotely will be encouraged to work from home in line with the grouprsquos existing hybrid work policy The company said it already has significant adoption of remote working practicesThe group has also decided to strictly optimise travel with foreign travel to be curtailed to the absolute minimum and domestic air travel significantly reduced Intercity conferences and meetings will also be minimised to avoid nonessential travelAs part of its sustainability push RPG said future companyowned or siteleased vehicles will prioritise electric and hybrid models while pending transitions to such vehicles will be acceleratedThe communication further directed that internal reviews interviews and routine meetings should be conducted virtually as far as possible Employees have also been encouraged to opt for carpooling or public transport systems such as railways metro and buses wherever feasibleAccording to the memo the measures are aimed at supporting the national agenda while strengthening the grouprsquos culture of responsibility agilityand costconsciousness Goenka also urged leaders across businesses to reinforce these directives within their respective teams to ensure disciplined implementationHarsh Goenkarsquos austerity push at RPG echoes PM Modirsquos call for WFHThe move comes amid growing responses from India Inc following the PMs recent appeal to revive several Covidera practices including wider adoption of workfromhome arrangements reduction in nonessential travel and conservation of foreign exchange particularly against the backdrop of the evolving West Asia situation impacting fuel and resourcesIn his post on X Goenka wrote ldquoWe in RPG have responded to our PMrsquos call with austerity and responsible resource allocations I hope other corporates will follow suitrdquoWe in RPG have responded to our PMrsquos call with austerity and responsible resource allocations I hope other corporates will follow suit pictwittercomBhv0RVUFjqmdash Harsh Goenka hvgoenka May 14 2026Govt rules out mandatory workfromhome for IT sectorNo proposal is currently being considered to mandate workfromhome arrangements for the IT sector after Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal for reduced fuel usage to tackle the fuel price surge government sources clarifiedThe IT industry has largely adopted hybrid work models since the pandemic and hence no formal directive is being considered an NDTV Profit report cited the sources as sayingFurther policy decisions related to mandatory remote working fall under the purview of the Labour Ministry they said adding that nothing is in the works currentlyPM Modi had urged citizens to conserve fuel revive workfromhome practices limit nonessential purchases and avoid overseas vacations in order to help India navigate economic challenges arising from the ongoing geopolitical tensionsHighlighting Indiarsquos dependence on imported fuel PM Modi stressed that reducing fuel consumption would help save valuable foreign exchange reserves at a time when global energy prices were rising sharplyPM Modi appealed to citizens to avoid destination weddings and overseas holidays while encouraging domestic tourism and celebrations within the countryRBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said that if the Middle East conflict continues India may be forced to raise petrol and diesel prices due to the soaring cost of crude oil in the global marketThe RBI Governor highlighted that rising energy prices due to the Iran war are testing Indiarsquos flexible inflation targeting necessitating potential policy intervention by the Reserve BankThe central bankrsquos next monetary policy meeting is slated for June 5 when it will take a call on key interest rates which it has left untouched to promote economic growthThe Governor indicated that raising retail fuel prices is ldquoa matter of timerdquo if the West Asia crisis persists which in turn would lead to an increase in transportation costs and inflationA report from Crisil Ratings said that Brent crude is expected to average 9095 per barrel in FY27 roughly 32 per cent higher yearonyearWith IANS inputs