Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday announced a series of temporary austerity measures in Sikkim, including a 50% reduction in his official carcade, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and responsible governance.
In a statement, the Chief Minister said the decision was aimed at supporting national service, conserving resources, and promoting administrative efficiency during challenging times.
An emergency meeting was convened at Samman Bhawan involving Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Heads of Departments, District Collectors (DCs), and Superintendents of Police (SPs). Officials from other districts attended virtually.
As part of the measures, pilot vehicles assigned to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be withdrawn, while fuel consumption for vehicles allotted to Ministers and MLAs will be reduced by 20%.
The State Government will also introduce pool vehicle services across departments and encourage officials to walk for nearby meetings and events. Increased use of public transport, virtual meetings, and digital coordination has also been proposed.
The Chief Minister directed all Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) and Chairpersons to remain stationed in their respective constituencies and avoid unnecessary travel.
Government employees will be restricted from inter-district and out-of-State travel using government vehicles unless deemed essential. The government has also decided to implement work-from-home arrangements for 50% of employees wherever feasible, suspend foreign travel for one year, and maintain Saturdays and Sundays as non-working days during which government vehicles will not operate.
Additionally, the odd-even vehicle rule will be enforced across all districts, while emergency services will remain exempt from the restrictions.
The Home Department will issue a detailed notification regarding the measures separately.
Appealing for public cooperation, the Chief Minister urged citizens to support the decisions in the interest of the State and the nation, stressing the importance of collective responsibility, discipline, and fuel conservation.
