Rajasthan implements austerity measures to save fuel amid conflict in West Asia

The government will also prepare an action plan to strengthen the charging infrastructure for electric cars and speed up the approval of the pending proposals for charging stations. A representative image of the file | Photo credit: The Hindu

Rajasthan’s Bharatiya Janata Party government on Saturday (May 23, 2026) introduced austerity measures to save petrol and diesel amid the conflict in West Asia by banning foreign travel by ministers and officials and promoting video conferencing and digital governance.

A circular issued by the Ministry of Finance laid down guidelines for reducing government expenditure and saving fuel. Under the new policy, all future purchases by government departments and public institutions will go towards electric vehicles (EVs), which will gradually replace existing petrol and diesel vehicles.

The circular, issued by Chief Finance Secretary Vaibhav Galriya, gave directions for car sharing for officials and employees, curbing meetings and events in government premises, reducing the number of government convoys and using official portals to reduce paper correspondence.

Officials and employees traveling in the same direction have been encouraged to use carpools to commute, while government departments, autonomous bodies and public sector enterprises will no longer be able to organize meetings or events in hotels.

The circular stated that all dignitaries entitled to convoys must continue to cut non-essential vehicles. The government will also prepare an action plan to strengthen the charging infrastructure for electric cars and speed up the approval of the pending proposals for charging stations.

Training programs for government officials will now be conducted online instead of gathering staff at one location, according to the circular. The state government will promote rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, while a campaign to reduce non-agricultural use of urea and promote balanced consumption of fertilizers will be launched.

Emphasizing energy conservation, the circular directed officers and employees to switch off lights, fans, coolers and air conditioners before leaving their offices. Apart from this, the government departments will gradually install solar power plants to meet the electricity requirements as mentioned in the circular.

Published – 23 May 2026 23:45 IST