Maharashtra announces fuel-saving measures after PM Modi’s energy conservation appeal

The Maharashtra government has announced a wideranging set of administrative and conservation measures in response to the ongoing crisis in West Asia citing concerns over energy security fuel consumption and public expenditureThe directives come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to conserve energy use public transport support indigenous products and avoid unnecessary expenses in view of the evolving geopolitical situationA government circular issued on Wednesday and signed by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal outlines several steps that departments district administrations and local bodies have been instructed to implement immediatelyRestrictions on foreign travel reduced vehicle useAs part of the measures foreign tours of government officials will be temporarily suspended Departments have also been asked not to plan any new overseas visits until further instructionsThe state government has additionally directed departments to reduce the use of official vehicles and promote carpooling public transport and electric mobility among employees Senior officials have been advised to travel by metro local trains or buses at least once a week as part of the fuel conservation effortThe police department has also been instructed not to permit vehicle processions and bike rallies in order to minimise fuel wastagePush for digital meetings and lower expenditureThe circular calls for greater use of video conferencing for official meetings training sessions and seminars at the Mantralaya divisional and district levels Educational institutions including universities and colleges have also been asked to adopt similar practices wherever possibleThe government has simultaneously announced restrictions on expensive official events and advertisements as part of a broader attempt to control expenditureIn another costcutting measure all administrative departments have been instructed to avoid appointing consultants for the next six months unless absolutely necessaryEnergy conservation measures in officesGovernment offices across the state have been directed to maximise the use of natural light and switch off unnecessary lights and electrical equipment when not in useAirconditioning temperatures in offices are to be maintained between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius to reduce electricity consumption The government also said it would accelerate solar energy initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar YojanaFocus on PNG use and reduced edible oil consumptionTo reduce dependence on conventional fuels the government plans to promote the use of piped natural gas PNG and expedite approvals related to PNG infrastructure projects Hotels and restaurants in cities such as Mumbai will also be encouraged to shift towards PNG usageThe circular also includes measures aimed at reducing edible oil consumption in governmentrun facilities such as canteens anganwadis hospitals and hostels Authorities have been instructed to revise menus and encourage the use of groundnut and mustard oil in place of palm and soybean oilAwareness campaigns on healthier and reduced oil consumption will be conducted through ASHA and anganwadi workersNatural farming to be promotedIn the agriculture sector the government plans to intensify campaigns promoting natural biological and organic farming practices while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisersFarmers will be provided cropspecific guidance based on soil testing and departments have been directed to monitor and prevent misuse of fertilisersThe circular has been sent to all departments district collectors municipal corporations and government offices with instructions for strict implementation of the announced measures