Gangtok, May 14: Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity and fuel conservation, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday announced a wide-ranging austerity drive that includes a 50 per cent reduction in his official carcade and the implementation of an odd-even vehicle system across the state.
The measures were announced during a high-level meeting attended by Cabinet ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Heads of Departments, District Collectors and Superintendents of Police. Officials from other districts participated virtually.
Tamang said the decisions were aimed at promoting fuel conservation, responsible governance and administrative efficiency during challenging times.
Among the major steps announced was the withdrawal of pilot vehicles assigned to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The government also decided to reduce fuel consumption for vehicles allotted to ministers and MLAs by 20 per cent.
The state will additionally implement an odd-even vehicle rule across all districts, although emergency services will remain exempted from the restrictions.
As part of the austerity drive, government departments have been directed to introduce pool vehicle systems and encourage officials to walk to nearby meetings whenever feasible. The administration has also promoted increased use of public transport, virtual meetings and digital coordination under a “digital-first” governance approach.
Restrictions have further been imposed on inter-district and out-of-state travel by government employees using official vehicles unless such travel is considered absolutely necessary.
All Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) and Chairpersons have also been instructed to remain stationed in their respective constituencies and avoid unnecessary travel.
In another major announcement, the Chief Minister said that 50 per cent of government employees would work from home wherever feasible, while foreign travel by government officials has been suspended for one year.
The government further stated that Saturdays and Sundays would continue as non-working days, during which official government vehicles would not be permitted to ply.
Appealing for public cooperation, Tamang described the measures as temporary but necessary in the larger interest of both the state and the country. A detailed notification regarding implementation of the decisions is expected to be issued soon by the Home Department.
