In response to growing concerns over global fuel supplies sparked by volatile conditions in West Asia, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has rolled out an aggressive fuel-conservation campaign across all state government departments.
This administrative shift follows a broader appeal for fuel restraint by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which previously prompted the Chief Minister to downsize his personal security convoy and publicly advocate for a reduction in daily petrol and diesel reliance.
Escalating these conservation efforts, CM Mohan Majhi issued a comprehensive 8-point directive on May 21, tasking the entire state machinery with driving down public sector fuel usage.
Key highlights of the 8-point directive
1. Virtual Meetings to Be Prioritised
All state-level reviews, administrative briefings, workshops, and training modules must pivot to virtual platforms unless an in-person gathering is legally or operationally unavoidable. When physical sessions do occur, attendance will be restricted to core personnel, with remaining participants logging in remotely.
2. Mandatory EV Purchase from June 1
Beginning June 1, 2026, the procurement of new government two-wheelers and four-wheelers will be strictly limited to Electric Vehicles (EVs), with conventional internal combustion engines permitted only under rare exemptions. Furthermore, any commercial vehicles leased or rented by departments after this date must also be fully electric.
3. Carpooling for Senior Officers
Senior officials using government vehicles for official purposes will now be encouraged to adopt carpooling and use a single vehicle for commuting whenever possible. Fuel allowances for such vehicles will also be reduced accordingly.
4. Finance Department to issue new guidelines
The Finance Department has been given a 2-week deadline to draft a structured policy delineating exactly which tiers of senior bureaucracy remain entitled to dedicated government vehicles for official use.
5. Preference for Bus & Train Travel
Officials and employees travelling long distances for official work have been advised to use buses and trains instead of individual government vehicles.
6. Use of Personal EVs for Government Work
The government is also preparing a framework to allow officials owning personal EVs to use them for official purposes.
7. EV Bus Service for Government Employees
Electric buses and minibuses will be introduced in areas with large concentrations of government employees to facilitate daily commuting.
8. 10% Reduction in Fuel Consumption Target
All government departments have been instructed to ensure that monthly petrol and diesel consumption by government vehicles is reduced by at least 10%.
Strict enforcement across Odisha
The Chief Minister directed that the new fuel-saving guidelines be strictly implemented at every level of governance — from the State Secretariat to sub-divisional offices, tehsils, blocks, government institutions, universities, corporations, and state-run organisations.
The move is being seen as a major administrative reform aimed at fuel conservation, cost reduction, and promoting eco-friendly transportation across Odisha.
