Guwahati, May 22 (IANS) Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rajdeep Goala has stressed the importance of adopting electric vehicles (EVs), saying the move was necessary not only for environmental protection but also for safeguarding the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Speaking to reporters at the Assam Legislative Assembly premises on Thursday, the legislator from the Udharbond Assembly constituency, said he had arrived at the state Assembly in an electric vehicle and had also used the same vehicle extensively during the recent election campaign.

Goala added that the EV belonged to his brother, Jaydeep Bala, and said that he had been using electric vehicles even before the recent public appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma encouraging fuel conservation and greater adoption of sustainable transport.

“This is not something new for me. I had already been using an electric vehicle earlier and even used it during election campaigning. Today also I came to the Assembly in the same vehicle,” the BJP MLA said.

He added that the state government has been encouraging fuel conservation measures and greater awareness regarding fuel consumption in view of the global economic situation.

According to the BJP MLA, India spends a significant amount of foreign exchange on importing petroleum products and greater use of EVs can help reduce that burden.

“There is a global economic concern attached to petroleum imports. We need to understand the present global situation and act responsibly. If we can reduce fuel imports, it will help save foreign reserves and benefit the country’s economy,” he said.

Goala also appealed to the people to contribute according to their capacity by adopting environmentally sustainable practices wherever possible.

When asked about speculation regarding his possible induction into the state Cabinet, the MLA added that he was not part of any such race and was presently focused only on serving the people of his Assembly constituency.

“The people have blessed me with the responsibility to work for them. My priority for the next five years is to serve my constituency sincerely,” he said.

Goala added that any future responsibility assigned by the party leadership would be carried out with dedication and discipline.

–IANS

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