GUWAHATI: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Wednesday, May 13, decided to reduce the size of the official carcade used for his travel by 70 per cent, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for restraint and prudent expenditure amid persistent West Asia crisis.
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As per a statement from the Lok Bhavan, the Governor has also initiated measures to reduce electricity consumption at his official residence.
Earlier, he had taken steps to reduce the standard fuel utilisation by 10 per cent as part of ongoing efforts towards resource conservation and administrative efficiency.
The Governor observed that small yet meaningful changes in everyday practices can play a vital role in conserving national resources and building a more sustainable future.
He expressed hope that the initiative would inspire institutions and citizens alike to embrace responsible and eco-friendly habits for the greater national good.
“The initiative has been undertaken aligning with the broader vision of sustainable development and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the Lok Bhavan statement read.
On May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens to adopt what he described as a more responsible and self-reliant lifestyle in view of growing global uncertainty, rising fuel dependence and the economic impact of international conflicts.
Addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, Modi urged people to revive several Covid-era practices and make conscious choices in daily life to help reduce pressure on the country’s economy and energy resources.
Calling for a renewed focus on remote working, the Prime Minister said offices and businesses should once again encourage work-from-home arrangements wherever possible. He also stressed the need to prioritise online conferences and virtual meetings instead of unnecessary physical travel, saying such measures could significantly reduce fuel consumption and ease pressure on transport systems.
Modi repeatedly highlighted the importance of conserving petrol and diesel, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary use of private vehicles and reduce dependence on imported fuel. He appealed to people living in cities with metro rail networks to make greater use of public transport systems such as metro trains and buses. In situations where private vehicles can be avoided, he encouraged citizens to adopt carpooling practices to cut fuel usage and reduce traffic congestion.
Modi also pushed for wider use of electric vehicles, asking people who already own EVs to maximise their use instead of relying on petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. Beyond personal transportation, Modi urged businesses and transporters to shift more goods movement towards railways, saying rail transport could help reduce dependence on fuel-intensive road logistics.
He also appealed to Indians to avoid unnecessary foreign travel for at least a year. Referring to the growing trend of overseas vacations and destination weddings among the middle class, he said the country should focus on reducing non-essential spending abroad during a period of global crisis. Instead, he encouraged people to choose domestic tourism and hold celebrations within India, saying this would also strengthen the local economy.
The Prime Minister further requested citizens to temporarily avoid non-essential purchases of gold, arguing that lower imports would help reduce pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.