Last Updated on May 19, 2026 1:24 am by BIZNAMA NEWS
By S. N. Verma / New Delhi
In a strong message promoting austerity, resource conservation and self-reliance, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced a series of cost-cutting and efficiency measures within his ministry. The decisions, taken during a high-level review meeting at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi, reflect the Centre’s broader emphasis on prudent spending amid global economic uncertainty.
One of the most striking outcomes of the meeting was a voluntary pledge by officials not to purchase gold for the next one year, except in unavoidable family situations such as weddings or emergencies. The move, described by the minister as a moral and social commitment rather than an official directive, was presented as a response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s repeated calls for restraint and responsible use of resources in the national interest.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Agriculture Department, Rural Development Ministry, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Agricultural Education and Land Resources Department. Several administrative reforms aimed at reducing expenditure and improving efficiency were also approved.
As part of the new measures, zonal conferences scheduled in Guwahati and Visakhapatnam will now be held virtually instead of in physical mode. Officials said this would significantly reduce spending on travel, accommodation and logistics without affecting communication with states and stakeholders.
The ministry has also introduced strict energy-saving practices in offices. Employees have been instructed to switch off lights, fans, air-conditioners and computers when not in use. The use of ACs and electrical appliances will be regulated to minimise unnecessary power consumption.
In another major step, around 20 percent of ministry employees will work from home on a rotational basis. However, officials clarified that routine government functioning, including file movement, coordination and meetings, would continue uninterrupted through digital platforms and e-office systems.
Fuel conservation has also been prioritised through a proposed one-day-a-week carpooling system, particularly for senior officers up to the director level. The ministry plans to reduce the use of nearly one-third of official vehicles, thereby cutting fuel and maintenance costs.
Alongside austerity measures, the ministry announced a nationwide “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” beginning June 1. Under the campaign, agricultural scientists will visit villages, conduct soil testing and advise farmers on balanced fertiliser use to reduce unnecessary expenditure and protect soil health. The initiative will also support the government’s push for natural farming and reduced dependence on imported fertilisers.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the present global situation demands discipline and responsible consumption, adding that savings and moderation are not merely economic necessities but national responsibilities.