Dehradun: The Uttarakhand cabinet on Wednesday approved 'work from home' and a weekly 'no vehicle day' to conserve energy and fuel, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for responsible energy use amid global uncertainty.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired the cabinet meeting, where officials decided to reduce the vehicle fleets of the chief minister and all ministers by half. The state will also implement a new electric vehicle (EV) policy to promote sustainable transport.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, officials said the chief minister cited global pressure on fuel, food, and fertilisers.
During the meeting, Dhami noted that Modi appealed for cooperation through small practical changes, prompting Uttarakhand to implement immediate short-term and long-term reforms.
The cabinet decided to promote video conferencing for government meetings and encourage the private sector to adopt similar practices. Citizens will also be encouraged to make maximum use of public transport, the officials said.
Under the new directives, government employees will be encouraged to use public transport for their daily commute. Officials holding charges of multiple departments must restrict themselves to using only one vehicle per day. The transport department received directions to increase the service frequency and capacity of public buses.
The cabinet also approved measures to reduce air-conditioner usage in government and private buildings. Foreign official trips will be limited, while the state focuses on boosting domestic tourism and promoting destination weddings within Uttarakhand, the officials said.
A mandatory clause in the upcoming EV policy requires 50 per cent of all new government vehicle purchases to be electric. The state will prioritise the expansion of charging stations and infrastructure networks.
The government also cleared the 'Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan' awareness campaign aimed at encouraging citizens to buy local products, limit gold purchases for one year, and opt for low-oil food, the officials said.
In the agriculture sector, the cabinet approved training programmes for farmers in natural and zero-budget farming to promote balanced fertiliser use and soil health maintenance.
To promote clean energy, the state will expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections in mission mode for hotels, restaurants, and government housing. The cabinet also committed to promoting rooftop solar energy under the PM Surya Ghar scheme and bio-gas production.
A high-powered committee headed by the chief secretary will expedite clearances for mining, solar, and power projects and grant approvals within 60 days to accelerate state development, they added.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired the cabinet meeting, where officials decided to reduce the vehicle fleets of the chief minister and all ministers by half. The state will also implement a new electric vehicle (EV) policy to promote sustainable transport.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, officials said the chief minister cited global pressure on fuel, food, and fertilisers.
During the meeting, Dhami noted that Modi appealed for cooperation through small practical changes, prompting Uttarakhand to implement immediate short-term and long-term reforms.
The cabinet decided to promote video conferencing for government meetings and encourage the private sector to adopt similar practices. Citizens will also be encouraged to make maximum use of public transport, the officials said.
Under the new directives, government employees will be encouraged to use public transport for their daily commute. Officials holding charges of multiple departments must restrict themselves to using only one vehicle per day. The transport department received directions to increase the service frequency and capacity of public buses.
The cabinet also approved measures to reduce air-conditioner usage in government and private buildings. Foreign official trips will be limited, while the state focuses on boosting domestic tourism and promoting destination weddings within Uttarakhand, the officials said.
A mandatory clause in the upcoming EV policy requires 50 per cent of all new government vehicle purchases to be electric. The state will prioritise the expansion of charging stations and infrastructure networks.
The government also cleared the 'Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan' awareness campaign aimed at encouraging citizens to buy local products, limit gold purchases for one year, and opt for low-oil food, the officials said.
In the agriculture sector, the cabinet approved training programmes for farmers in natural and zero-budget farming to promote balanced fertiliser use and soil health maintenance.
To promote clean energy, the state will expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections in mission mode for hotels, restaurants, and government housing. The cabinet also committed to promoting rooftop solar energy under the PM Surya Ghar scheme and bio-gas production.
A high-powered committee headed by the chief secretary will expedite clearances for mining, solar, and power projects and grant approvals within 60 days to accelerate state development, they added.
