Srinagar, May 13 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has decided to downsize his cavalcade following an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding fuel conservation and minimising unnecessary expenditure.

Sources at the Lok Bhawan confirmed to IANS on Wednesday that the Lt Governor had decided to reduce the size of his cavalcade following the Prime Minister’s appeal for fuel conservation. The move is aimed at promoting simplicity, reducing unnecessary expenditure and supporting efforts towards fuel saving.

The J&K Lt Governor normally has a large cavalcade comprising siren-fitted pilot vehicles, a critical care ambulance, quick response teams and other security vehicles. Sources also said that the downsizing of the Lt Governor’s cavalcade was being carried out without compromising the security of the VIP.

Meanwhile, government sources in New Delhi have pushed back against descriptions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for energy conservation and reduced foreign exchange outflows as “austerity measures”, saying the term is misleading and carries negative economic connotations.

According to sources, the PM Modi-led government is not implementing “austerity” in the conventional sense.

“That phrase is misleading as the government is not implementing austerity measures, which has negative economic connotations. Austerity usually suggests budget cuts, reduced government spending, lower subsidies and fiscal tightening. The government is not cutting capital expenditure, welfare spending or subsidies.

“The Prime Minister’s appeal is not about spending less. It is about spending more wisely by reducing fuel consumption, avoiding dependence on imported goods and foreign-currency-intensive services,” sources stated.

The Prime Minister’s appeal came during a rally organised by the Telangana BJP in Hyderabad on Sunday, amid conflict in the Middle East that has impacted global markets.

He urged people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, use Metro rail services in cities, adopt carpooling, increase the use of electric vehicles, utilise railway services for parcel movement and work from home wherever possible to conserve foreign exchange.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw echoed the message, stating: “PM Modi has been guiding us about the lesser usage of products from outside. I also appeal to everyone to use limited overseas products and focus on self-reliance.”

–IANS

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