Naidu to cut down convoy by 50 percent during district visits

Vijayawada: In line with the austerity measures suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to reduce the number of vehicles in his official convoy during district tours. Naidu directed officials to cut down convoy vehicles by 50 per cent as part of efforts to reduce fuel consumption and promote responsible use of petrol and diesel resources.The decision was conveyed by Naidu during a review meeting with senior police officials, including the director-general of police Harish Kumar Gupta and the Intelligence chief Mahesh Chandra Ladha. The chief minister made it clear that the reduction in convoy vehicles should be implemented immediately in all future district visits.Naidu said the initiative was aimed at supporting national interest and aligning with the prime minister’s call for conservation measures in the backdrop of prevailing international conditions and rising concerns over fuel usage. He stressed that every citizen and public representative should think responsibly and contribute towards national priorities.The chief minister also instructed ministers, senior officials and other VIPs to minimise the use of vehicles as much as possible during official programmes and tours. He said the 50 per cent reduction policy should be implemented at all levels of the administration to ensure effective savings in fuel consumption and public expenditure.Sources said the state govt is also examining several additional measures related to austerity, energy conservation and efficient resource utilisation. The officials have already begun consultations on various proposals that are expected to be discussed in the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday.Naidu is likely to announce more policy decisions after the cabinet deliberations, with the focus expected to remain on savings, efficient governance and support to national priorities.