Samrat Choudhary has announced a set of austerity and fuel-saving measures aimed at reducing government expenditure on petrol and diesel, while promoting energy conservation across the state. The announcement was made on Wednesday amid rising concerns over global energy instability linked to prolonged tensions in West Asia.

The state government’s initiative includes a significant reduction in official vehicle usage, particularly the scaling down of ministerial convoys and administrative motorcades. Choudhary stated that even his own convoy would see a trimmed-down vehicle arrangement as part of the cost-cutting exercise. Officials and public representatives have also been urged to attend programmes without deploying additional vehicles, signalling a broader push to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption in governance.

As part of the policy shift, the Bihar government has directed all departments to increasingly rely on video conferencing for official meetings and conferences. The move is intended to reduce travel-related fuel usage and improve administrative efficiency. The government has also suggested expanding work-from-home arrangements in both public and private sectors wherever feasible, aligning with a hybrid work model to cut down commuting demands.

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Another key component of the plan is the introduction of a “no vehicle day” once a week, which the government has described as a voluntary mass participation campaign to encourage citizens to avoid using personal vehicles. The initiative aims to promote the use of public transport systems such as buses, metro services, and auto-rickshaws, while raising awareness about fuel conservation and environmental sustainability.

The government has also issued dietary and operational advisories for state-run facilities, including instructions to minimise the use of palm oil in government canteens. Officials say these combined measures are part of a wider strategy to reduce overall operational costs and encourage more sustainable consumption patterns within public institutions.

Choudhary’s announcement also referenced a broader national call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging reduced dependence on fossil fuels and greater adoption of energy-saving practices. The Bihar government’s measures are expected to be implemented in phases, with departments directed to begin compliance immediately as part of the state’s ongoing efforts toward fiscal discipline and energy efficiency.

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