Lucknow, May 13 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday asked the ministers to use public transport at least once a week and reduce their official vehicle fleets by up to 50 per
cent, as part of a broader push towards austerity, energy conservation and responsible governance.
Chairing the first expanded Cabinet meeting after the recent expansion of the ministry, the chief minister also directed ministers and senior officials to avoid foreign tours for the next six months except under unavoidable circumstances.
Addressing ministers and senior officials, Adityanath said the prevailing global situation had made fuel conservation not merely an economic necessity but a "national responsibility".
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to minimise petrol and diesel consumption, he said the Uttar Pradesh government should lead by example.
The chief minister asked ministers to earmark one day every week for using public transport such as metro rail, buses, e-rickshaws, bicycles or carpooling arrangements to send a positive message to society and encourage public participation in energy-saving efforts.
He also stressed the need to develop a more accountable, disciplined and resource-sensitive administrative culture by increasing the use of digital and virtual modes in governance. Inter-district meetings, training programmes and meetings of standing committees of the state legislature should, as far as possible, be organised in hybrid mode, he said.
Adityanath directed officials at the secretariat and directorate levels to ensure need-based use of air-conditioners and lifts. He instructed that air-conditioners should be maintained at temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius and emphasised maximum utilisation of natural light in government offices.
The chief minister further advocated greater use of public transport, rail travel and carpooling, while encouraging institutions with more than 50 employees to adopt a work-from-home system at least two days a week.
Calling energy conservation and environmental balance a priority for the government, Adityanath directed officials to promote extensive use of solar energy and expand awareness campaigns to residential colonies, schools and colleges.
He also underlined the need for a new policy to encourage electric vehicles and promote a cleaner and energy-efficient transport system.
In a message promoting frugality and support for the local economy, the chief minister said domestic venues should be prioritised for weddings and social functions to curb unnecessary expenditure and generate local employment.
Stressing the importance of the "Vocal for Local" campaign, he asked ministers to use only Uttar Pradesh-made products as gifts. He said the state's "One District-One Product" initiative had created a rich range of quality local products which should be given preference.
Adityanath also directed officials to prioritise PNG connections over LPG cylinders and asked for immediate policy changes in this regard. He said commercial LPG users, too, should gradually be shifted to PNG usage.
Emphasising minimal use of imported goods, the chief minister called for increased oilseed production, promotion of natural farming and balanced use of chemical fertilisers. He also stressed the need to reduce edible oil consumption and create public awareness on the issue.
The chief minister appealed to discourage unnecessary imports of gold and called for turning rainwater conservation into a mass movement.
At the beginning of the meeting, Adityanath formally introduced the newly inducted ministers and said public representatives were subject to constant public scrutiny and accountability. "The conduct of a public representative itself becomes the biggest message for the people," he said.
Addressing the new ministers, the chief minister said they had been entrusted with a major responsibility and had limited time ahead of the next assembly elections to deliver results. He advised them to learn from senior and experienced ministers and develop an effective style of functioning.
He also directed Cabinet ministers to take the views of their junior ministers into account on departmental policy matters. PTI ABN MPL
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