AP CM Leads Austerity Drive, Cuts Convoy Size
The CM asked ministers, legislators and public representatives to voluntarily reduce the size of their vehicle convoys to conserve fuel and improve administrative efficiency.
Vijayawada: In a significant austerity measure aimed at promoting fuel conservation and reducing official expenditure, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reduced the number of his convoy from 12 vehicles to four
This follows a similar action by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his call for public representatives to adopt cost-saving measures.
The cut in the size came into effect on Thursday, with the CM travelling from his Undavalli camp office to the secretariat for the cabinet meeting in a convoy comprising only four vehicles.
The CM asked ministers, legislators and public representatives to voluntarily reduce the size of their vehicle convoys to conserve fuel and improve administrative efficiency. Responding swiftly to the directive, several ministers did so on Thursday itself.
Education minister Nara Lokesh announced that he too would reduce his convoy size by half. He instructed security personnel to limit his convoy to just two vehicles despite being provided CRPF protection by the Centre and Z-category security by the state government.
The impact of the initiative was visible during a breakfast meeting hosted by Lokesh at the CM’s camp office. Ministers arriving for the event were seen using limited vehicles.
Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu arrived without an escort vehicle. Ministers including Vangalapudi Anitha, Gummidi Sandhya Rani, S Savitha, Kollu Ravindra, Kolusu Parthasarathy, Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, DSBV Swamy and Payyavula Keshav were also seen travelling in single vehicles without escort cars.
Minister P Narayana trimmed his convoy size. Earlier, his convoy included four additional vehicles apart from his official car. He would now have two vehicles.
