Devendra Fadnavis Lays Down Governance Guidelines; 7 Major Decisions Announced
Devendra Fadnavis Lays Down Governance Guidelines; 7 Major Decisions Announced
Maharashtra, May 13, 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced a series of strict fuel-saving and expenditure-control measures for ministers and government officials in response to rising global oil prices and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
The decisions were taken during two high-level meetings chaired by the Chief Minister following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for energy conservation and reduced fuel consumption amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the global oil supply crisis.
Senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other top administrative officers, attended the meetings.\
The Maharashtra government said the measures aim to reduce fuel consumption, cut unnecessary expenditure and promote the use of public transport and digital communication systems across departments.
Key Decisions Announced By CM Devendra Fadnavis
1. Ministers’ Convoys To Be Reduced By Half
मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांच्यासह सर्व मंत्र्यांच्या ताफ्यातील वाहनांची संख्या अर्ध्यावर
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) May 13, 2026
इंधन आणि परकीय चलन बचतीच्या अनुषंगाने पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदी यांनी केलेल्या आवाहनाला प्रतिसाद म्हणून मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी आज 2 उच्चस्तरीय बैठकीत विविध उपाययोजनांचा आढावा…
The Chief Minister directed that the number of vehicles in the convoys of all ministers, including his own, be reduced by 50 percent with immediate effect. Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to ensure convoy limits are strictly followed during official travel.
2. Foreign Tours Of Ministers And Officials Cancelled
The government has decided that ministers and senior officials should avoid foreign tours until further notice as part of measures to conserve public expenditure and foreign exchange.
3. Restrictions On Use Of Government Aircraft And Helicopters
Ministers have been advised not to use government aircraft or helicopters unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they have been instructed to use regular commercial flight services wherever possible.
4. Public Transport Use Encouraged
The Chief Minister urged ministers and officials to increase the use of public transport systems such as the metro and electric buses. As part of the first phase, officials have been asked to use public transport at least one day every week.
5. Government Meetings To Shift Online
Departments have been instructed to conduct meetings through video conferencing instead of physically calling officers to Mumbai or other locations, in order to reduce travel and fuel consumption.
6. Review Of Government Vehicles Ordered
A detailed review of all vehicles allotted across government departments will be carried out to identify excess or unnecessary usage.
7. Action Against Decorative Lighting And Illegal Hoardings
The state government also announced stricter action against unnecessary hoardings and decorative lighting installations as part of broader energy-saving measures.
Decisions Taken After PM Modi’s Appeal
The Maharashtra government’s decisions come shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens to conserve fuel, reduce non-essential consumption and prefer public transport and electric vehicles due to rising global crude oil prices.
The Centre has expressed concern over increasing pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves following disruptions in global oil supply routes caused by tensions in West Asia. Reports of shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz have further intensified concerns over rising import costs.
The Prime Minister also urged citizens to avoid unnecessary gold purchases for a year, increase the use of indigenous products and adopt energy-saving habits in daily life.
Focus On Fuel Conservation And Public Transport
Officials said Maharashtra’s latest measures are intended to set an example within the government system before encouraging wider public participation in fuel-saving efforts.
The state government is also expected to promote work-from-home arrangements, digital meetings and electric mobility in the coming months as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Political observers said the decisions mark one of the most significant austerity drives undertaken by the Maharashtra government in recent years in response to the evolving global economic situation.
