Bhubaneswar: Amid concerns over fuel supply due to the ongoing West Asia situation, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday issued an eight-point directive to government departments to curb petrol and diesel consumption. The state made it mandatory that all new government vehicle purchases from June 1 will be electric vehicles (EVs) only.
Virtual Meetings and Reduced Travel
As per the directive, official meetings, reviews, and training sessions will be conducted in virtual mode unless physical presence is unavoidable. In such cases, only essential personnel will attend in person while others join virtually. This step aims to minimize fuel consumption associated with travel.
Electric Vehicle Mandate
From June 1, all new two-wheelers and four-wheelers procured for government use must be EVs. Purchase of petrol or diesel vehicles will be allowed only under special circumstances. The same rule will apply to hired vehicles for government offices, the Chief Minister's Office said.
Carpooling and Reduced Fuel Allocation
Senior officers allotted official vehicles have been asked to carpool, with fuel allocation for such vehicles to be reduced by half. The Finance Department will issue guidelines within 15 days specifying which categories of officers are eligible to use government vehicles. For long-distance travel on official duty, officers and staff have been advised to use buses or trains. The Finance Department will also frame guidelines for use of privately owned electric vehicles for official purposes.
Electric Buses for Employees
The government will arrange electric buses or minibuses for employees traveling from areas with a high concentration of government staff. This measure is expected to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
10% Fuel Reduction Target
All departments have been directed to ensure at least a 10% reduction in monthly fuel consumption for government vehicles. The Chief Minister has ordered strict compliance across all levels — from the state secretariat to blocks — including public sector undertakings, institutions, and universities.
Background and Implementation
Earlier, following the Prime Minister's appeal, Majhi had cut down the number of vehicles in his motorcade and urged citizens to minimize fuel consumption. Building on this, he has now tasked the Chief Secretary with ensuring implementation of the new measures across departments. The directives reflect the state's proactive approach to address potential fuel supply disruptions and promote sustainable transportation.
