Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a significant reduction in the size of his official convoy, directing that the number of vehicles be halved, NDTV reported citing sources.
The directive has been issued to the Special Protection Group (SPG), which has already begun implementing the changes, sources told NDTV.
PM Modi also called for more electric vehicles in the convoy. However, he has made it clear that no new vehicles should be bought for this purpose.
Steps are being taken to ensure that there is no compromise on the “mandatory security guidelines stipulated in the ‘Blue Book',” the sources said.
The move is being seen as a push for austerity across the government. Other ministries are also expected to roll out fuel conservation measures in the coming days.
This comes days after PM Modi doubled down on his appeal to the country to reduce fuel usage and purchase of gold.
Addressing a gathering in Vadodara on Monday, PM Modi said, "Whenever India faced war or any major crisis, citizens fulfilled responsibility on government appeal; we need to do same now.”
All citizens of the country, in view of the global headwinds, must take all efforts to reduce imports and avoid personal activities that involve spending foreign currency, he added.
He went on to compare the ongoing Middle East crisis with COVID-19.
"Over the past few years, the world has been continuously passing through unstable circumstances. First, the crisis of COVID, then global economic challenges, and now the rising tensions in West Asia. The impact of all these situations is continuously falling on the entire world, and India is not untouched by it either," he said.
Also Read: Gold, Silver Imports To Turn Costlier: Govt Doubles Duty To 10% After PM Modi's Forex Warning
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