In a move to conserve fuel, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has instructed officials to reduce the number of vehicles in his official convoy. This directive follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to citizens to adopt measures that can help mitigate the impact of global crude oil price hikes caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The Prime Minister’s suggestions included using public transport, carpooling, working from home, limiting foreign travel, and reducing gold purchases.
After being sworn in as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kolkata’s Bhabanipur, Adhikari addressed the media, emphasizing the importance of following the Prime Minister’s example. He stated, “The Prime Minister has always shown us the right path. It is not mandatory for all people to follow, but those who believe that it should be done will follow his example.” He further mentioned instructing the Directorate of Security to limit the number of vehicles used for his movements to only what is necessary, avoiding any excess.
Adhikari’s commitment to this initiative was evident when he arrived at the state legislative assembly with a convoy of five vehicles, which is a reduction from the usual eight to ten cars typically employed for his city travels. State government officials have indicated that other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and ministers in West Bengal will also adhere to this practice of using fewer vehicles.
The Prime Minister’s message, delivered on Sunday, was a response to the economic uncertainties posed by the international oil market’s instability. By urging citizens to adopt austerity measures, the government aims to cushion the Indian economy from the adverse effects of rising oil prices. The Prime Minister’s approach has been to lead by example, setting a precedent for others to follow, as highlighted by Adhikari’s remarks.