TNI Bureau: In view of the prevailing situation in West Asia and the need to reduce fuel consumption, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has issued an eight-point directive to all government departments for reducing the use of petrol and diesel in official activities across the state.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had appealed to the Prime Minister to take steps to reduce fuel expenses in the country. Following this, he had already reduced the number of vehicles in his own convoy and urged the public to minimise petrol and diesel consumption.
Continuing the initiative, the Chief Minister on Thursday directed the Chief Secretary to implement necessary measures to curb fuel use in all government departments.
As per the new guidelines, official meetings, review sessions, training programmes and workshops will be conducted in virtual mode unless physical presence is absolutely necessary. Only essential officials and employees will attend meetings physically, while others will participate online.
From June 1, 2026, all newly purchased two-wheelers and four-wheelers for government offices must be electric vehicles (EVs). Petrol or diesel vehicles will be permitted only under special circumstances. Similarly, all four-wheelers hired on rent for government offices from June 1 onwards must also be EVs.
Senior officers allotted government vehicles for personal official use have been asked to adopt carpooling and use a single vehicle for commuting. The fuel allowance for such vehicle use will also be reduced by half.
The Finance Department has been directed to issue guidelines within 15 days specifying which categories of senior officers will be eligible for personal use of government vehicles.
Officials and employees travelling to distant places on official duty have been advised to use buses or trains instead of individual vehicles.
The Finance Department will also prepare guidelines regarding the use of privately owned electric vehicles by officials for government work.
To facilitate commuting, electric buses or mini-buses will be arranged in areas where a large number of government employees reside.
Further, all government offices have been instructed to take planned measures to ensure at least a 10 percent reduction in monthly petrol and diesel consumption for official vehicles.
The Chief Minister directed strict implementation of these guidelines in all government offices and undertakings, from the State Secretariat to sub-divisions, tehsils and block-level offices, including universities, institutions and government-run organisations across Odisha.
