Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, May 24: In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Rajasthan Government has announced a series of measures aimed at ensuring financial discipline and efficient resource management.
The guidelines, issued by the Finance Department, include a ban on foreign travel at government expense, phased conversion of government vehicles to electric vehicles, preference for car-pooling, and increased use of video conferencing for official meetings.
Citing Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who has reportedly reduced the number of vehicles in his cavalcade, the circular directed ministers and officials of corporations, commissions and other government bodies to use only the minimum number of vehicles required for motorcades.
Under the new measures, all departments have been instructed to gradually replace petrol and diesel government vehicles with electric vehicles. In the first phase, new vehicles purchased for officers whose work is largely confined within cities will be electric vehicles.
The government also directed departments to prepare time-bound plans for establishing EV charging infrastructure across the state. Pending proposals related to such infrastructure will be approved immediately as per rules.
Officials and employees travelling to the same destination have been advised to prioritise car-pooling using government, private or contract vehicles.
The state government has further instructed departments to hold official programmes in government buildings and conduct meetings through video conferencing as far as possible.
To reduce paper usage, departments have been directed to ensure greater use of e-office systems and e-files through the state government’s Rajkaj portal instead of physical correspondence.
Departments have also been asked to provide online training instead of physical sessions wherever possible, using the Centre’s iGOT Karmayogi portal.
The Energy Department has been asked to prioritise installation of rooftop solar systems under the PM Suryaghar Yojana, while the Agriculture Department has been directed to promote natural and organic farming, encourage Agri-Stack registration and ensure proper use of fertilisers.
Additional measures include installation of solar power plants in government buildings, minimising electricity consumption during office hours and switching off electrical appliances after work.
The guidelines will apply to all government departments, public sector undertakings, boards, universities, aided institutions and other bodies financially dependent on the state government.
The directions were issued by Vaibhav Galriya, who stated that the Finance Department may relax restrictions in urgent cases if departments submit proper justification.