UP CM Yogi Adityanath Announces Austerity Measures Amid West Asia Crisis, Cuts Official Convoys by 50%

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed government departments to immediately scale down the use of official vehicles.

The Chief Minister ordered a 50 per cent reduction in the convoy and vehicle fleets used by ministers, including his own, as part of efforts to conserve fuel and resources.

During a late-evening review meeting with senior officials, the Chief Minister also proposed a major shift toward flexible working arrangements.

He instructed officials to prepare a state-level advisory encouraging offices with large numbers of employees to adopt a work-from-home system for at least two days every week.

The high-level meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, along with additional chief secretaries and principal secretaries from different departments.

Stressing the need to reduce unnecessary travel and expenditure, the Chief Minister said government meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences should increasingly be conducted through virtual platforms wherever possible.

Yogi Adityanath further urged ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs and other public representatives to use public transport at least once every week.

He also proposed observing a weekly “No Vehicle Day” and called upon government employees, students and the wider public to participate in the initiative.

The Industrial Development Department and the Industrial Infrastructure and Investment Commissioner (IIDC) were instructed to encourage industries, corporate institutions and major startups to implement work-from-home practices to cut fuel consumption and reduce commuting pressure.

The Chief Minister also directed that seminars and departmental meetings related to the Education Department, along with several other official discussions, should preferably be held online.

He added that nearly half of all internal meetings in the state secretariat and directorates should move to virtual mode.

In another major step aimed at saving fuel, the CM suggested wider use of school buses and said state-run road buses could also be connected with schools if necessary.

He further recommended staggered office timings in different shifts to reduce traffic congestion and fuel usage during peak hours.

Appealing to citizens to use electricity responsibly, Yogi Adityanath said unnecessary power consumption should be avoided in homes, government offices and commercial establishments.

He specifically called for reducing decorative lighting in markets, malls and private buildings after 10 pm.

The Chief Minister also encouraged people to organise social events and celebrations within the country instead of abroad.

At the same time, he directed authorities to allow free entry to museums and memorials for a limited period to promote local tourism and cultural activities.

The Tourism Department was asked to hold consultations with hotels, airlines, tour operators and travel agencies and issue suitable guidelines.

The CM also said Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from Uttar Pradesh living across the globe should be encouraged to visit the state.

He stressed promoting heritage tourism, temple visits and shopping festivals to boost domestic travel and the local economy.

Calling for healthier eating habits, Yogi Adityanath appealed to residents to reduce the consumption of edible oil.

He instructed the Health Department to organise nutrition awareness campaigns and spread public awareness regarding balanced diets and healthy food practices.

He further directed schools, colleges, hospitals, medical colleges, government canteens, hostels, jails, police mess facilities and mid-day meal programmes to minimise the use of oil while preparing food.

At the district and local levels, administrative officials were asked to coordinate with hotel associations, restaurant owners, sweet shop operators, dhaba owners and street food vendors to encourage the preparation and sale of low-oil food items.

The Chief Minister also asked the Agriculture Department to promote natural farming methods on a larger scale. Referring to the state’s gaushalas, which shelter nearly 1.4 to 1.5 million cattle, he said cow dung generated there should be effectively utilised for organic and agricultural purposes.

Emphasising restrained spending, Yogi Adityanath appealed to people to limit unnecessary purchases.

He also instructed district administrations to hold discussions with jewellers’ associations and trader bodies to understand their concerns and ensure economic stability during the current global situation.