The Gujarat government has issued comprehensive austerity guidelines for all state government employees, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for prudent resource utilization. The General Administration Department (GAD) released the directives on Tuesday, which will apply to all government departments, boards, corporations, government companies, autonomous bodies, local self-government bodies, universities, and grant-in-aid institutions.
Key Measures for Employees
The guidelines emphasize reducing official travel and promoting digital communication. Employees are encouraged to hold meetings online or via video conferencing and maximize other digital methods. Foreign travel for seminars, conferences, or study tours is to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Officials must attend Union government-organized meetings online.
Vehicle Usage and Transportation
Strict controls on government vehicle usage have been introduced. Departments must maximize shared vehicle usage, deposit excess vehicles in the vehicle pool, and prioritize electric and hybrid vehicles over fossil fuel-run ones. The guidelines also encourage government employees to use public transport and reduce private vehicle usage.
Canteens and Local Products
All government canteens must be equipped with PNG connections within six months. Departments are asked to prioritize local products and run public awareness campaigns to discourage panic buying and unnecessary stockpiling.
