Governance – Himachal Government Pushes Cost-Cutting Drive With Smaller Convoys
Governance – Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday highlighted a series of financial control measures introduced by the state government, saying the administration has been steadily reducing unnecessary official expenditure while encouraging the use of electric vehicles in government operations.
Speaking to journalists, the Chief Minister said his government had already trimmed the size of official convoys and introduced several austerity measures aimed at lowering public spending. He noted that he personally reduced the number of vehicles in his security convoy and instructed officials to continue limiting its scale in the future.
Government Focuses on Reducing Public Expenditure
According to Sukhu, the state administration has adopted a broader policy of financial discipline. He stated that ministers in the government accepted a 30 percent salary reduction, while salaries of Members of the Legislative Assembly were cut by 20 percent as part of the effort to manage expenses more responsibly.
The Chief Minister added that several official facilities and allowances had also been reviewed and scaled down. He stressed that the government was attempting to balance development priorities with financial stability.
Sukhu further said that smaller electric vehicles are now being used in official travel. Referring to his own transportation arrangements, he mentioned that he travels in a compact electric car as part of the state’s effort to encourage environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
Governor’s Decision Receives Support
The Chief Minister welcomed the recent decision by the Governor to reduce the size of his convoy as well. Sukhu described the move as a positive step and said it aligned with the direction already being taken by the state government.
He maintained that reducing convoy sizes not only lowers fuel consumption but also sends a message of responsible governance at a time when governments are being expected to manage resources carefully.
BJP Criticised Over Infrastructure Spending
During the interaction with the media, Sukhu also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party over what he described as excessive expenditure on infrastructure projects during its tenure. He alleged that buildings worth thousands of crores were constructed without proper planning and claimed that many of those structures are now underutilised.
The Chief Minister argued that the current government was focusing more on practical development and long-term sustainability instead of projects that may not serve immediate public needs.
Government to Review KNH Hospital Court Verdict
Sukhu also addressed the issue related to KNH Hospital, saying the state government would examine the court’s judgment carefully before deciding on any further action. He did not provide additional details but indicated that officials would study the legal aspects before moving ahead.
Political Remarks Over Financial Assistance
The Chief Minister used the occasion to target the BJP politically, saying the opposition party was seeking a return to power despite allegedly failing to adequately support the people of Himachal Pradesh during its term.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sukhu claimed that an announcement regarding financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore for the state had not translated into visible results. He questioned why BJP leaders and Members of Parliament from the state had not sought clarification on the matter.
At the same time, he asserted that the present state government was working toward making Himachal Pradesh more self-reliant through disciplined financial management and development-focused governance.
Centre Also Promoting Smaller Convoys
The discussion comes shortly after Prime Minister Modi reportedly directed that the number of vehicles in his official convoy be reduced by 50 percent. The decision is understood to be linked to efforts aimed at lowering fuel consumption amid ongoing global economic and energy concerns.
Reports also indicated that the Special Protection Group, which manages the Prime Minister’s security arrangements, has been instructed to increase the use of electric vehicles in the convoy. However, no additional vehicles are expected to be purchased specifically for this purpose.