Jaipur, May 23 (IANS) Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve petrol and diesel, the Rajasthan government has issued a circular banning foreign travel by ministers, officials and employees at government expense, while outlining a series of energy-saving measures.

The circular, issued by the Finance Department, outlines measures to reduce government expenditure and conserve fuel. All departments have been directed to implement the guidelines strictly.

Under the new policy, all future vehicle purchases by government departments and public institutions will be Electric Vehicles (EVs). Existing petrol and diesel vehicles will be replaced with EVs in a phased manner. In the first phase, only EVs will be purchased for officials operating within city limits. The use of EVs will also be gradually extended to vehicles hired by the government on contract.

Key highlights of the finance department circular include car-pooling for officials and employees and restriction of meetings and events within government premises, reduction in the number of government convoys, push for video conferencing and digital governance, among others.

As per the circular, officials and employees travelling in the same direction have been directed to use carpooling for commuting. Government and private vehicles may be used to ensure shared travel. Government departments, autonomous bodies and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are no longer allowed to organise meetings or events in hotels.

All official programmes must be held in government buildings, says the circular. It further says that all dignitaries entitled to convoys must further cut non-essential vehicles.

The government will also prepare an action plan to strengthen EV charging infrastructure and expedite approvals for pending charging station proposals. Departments have been instructed to conduct meetings through video conferencing wherever possible and minimise physical meetings.

The use of e-Office, e-Files and the ‘Raj-Kaaj’ portal has been made mandatory to reduce paper-based correspondence. Training programmes for officers and employees will now be conducted online instead of gathering staff at one location. The government will promote rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. A special campaign will also be launched to reduce non-agricultural use of urea and encourage balanced fertilizer consumption.

Government offices will install solar plants to meet electricity requirements.

The circular also stresses energy conservation, directing officers and employees to switch off lights, fans, coolers and air conditioners before leaving offices.

–IANS

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