Haryana to Hold Virtual Meetings to Cut Fuel Costs, Save Crores Annually

May 17, 2026

Amid rising oil prices in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to save fuel has started to have a significant impact in Haryana. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has decided to completely change the administrative functioning of the state.

Now, in the state, meetings of officers and ministers will be held mostly through virtual (video conferencing) means instead of in person, so that unnecessary travel and expenditure on petrol and diesel can be completely stopped.

The Chief Minister mentioned this in an interview with a private channel. In Haryana, the Chief Minister, ministers, OSDs, and officials associated with the CMO spend around 55 million rupees annually on fuel for government vehicles. This expenditure covers the convoys of about 75 vehicles and 3 government helicopters.The government’s plan is to immediately reduce this heavy expenditure by half (saving about 27.5 million rupees annually). Under this, strict instructions have been issued to all departments to use government vehicles sparingly and to stop wastage.

Why the prices of petrol and diesel have increased

The main reason for this increase is the fluctuation in crude oil prices in the international market. Before the war started in Iran and the United States, the price of crude oil was 70 dollars, which has now increased to over 100 dollars per barrel. As crude prices increased, oil companies were under pressure. Therefore, the companies took this step to make up for the losses. If crude oil prices remain high for a long time, petrol and diesel prices may be increased even further.

The CM started it himself, and half the convoy followed.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has set an example by personally taking charge of this campaign. He has reduced the number of vehicles in his security convoy from 8 to just 4. The CM has ordered that, until further notice, only vehicles that are absolutely necessary for security purposes will be included in his convoy. Along with this, CM Saini has resolved to work one day a week without an official vehicle and, if possible, will reach the secretariat by bicycle. The CM has also appealed to the public and officials to use public transport as much as possible.

Government will emphasize carpooling, will change the way meetings are held
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi has urged all officers and employees to use carpooling or electric vehicles as much as possible for commuting to offices and meetings. Along with the government, organizations have also joined this initiative. BJP state president Mohanlal Badoli has clarified that as far as possible in the state, all party meetings will now be held only through virtual or audio-video calls.

Ministers came forward following the appeal of the PM and CM…

Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa: Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa took major action by reviewing both departments. He not only removed the ‘pilot vehicle’ from his convoy but also issued orders to immediately retrieve 17 vehicles from both departments, of which 9 are from Public Health and 8 are from the PWD department.

Manohar Lal (Union Minister): Completed his journey from Delhi to Chandigarh by Shatabdi Express train. He said that from now on, to go outside Delhi, he will only use public transport.

Vipul Goyal (Aviation Minister): Despite being the state’s aviation minister, he traveled from Chandigarh to Delhi by ordinary train instead of by airplane or his luxury car.

Devendra Atri (MLA): To go to Uchana from Jind, he left the government vehicle and traveled by Roadways bus and auto with common passengers.

Dr. Krishna Lal Middha (Deputy Speaker): He reached Jind Mini Secretariat for his office by sitting in an e-rickshaw, which has become a topic of discussion in the city.