Manmohan leads by example in austerity

NEW DELHI: Prime minister Manmohan Singh was leading by example when he appealed to his cabinet colleagues before the recent steep hike in fuel prices to adopt austerity measures.

Now, the prime minister’s office (PMO) is coming out with a fresh set of measures to cut costs. These could include rationing of petrol for government vehicles and fewer foreign trips for ministers as well as officials.

A notification to this effect is likely to be issued soon, PMO sources said.

The sources confirmed the prime minister had been travelling abroad with smaller delegations and fewer ministers much before he made the open appeal for austerity.

“He has been very particular to make his foreign visits look business-like and has curtailed his stays abroad whenever possible,” they said, adding that the PM was also likely to carry a
smaller team to the coming G-8 summit in Tokyo.

Earlier last week, Manmohan had asked his cabinet colleagues to avoid foreign travel as for as possible in view of the rise in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG. 

Responding to his call, half-a-dozen ministers, including finance minister P Chidambaram, defence minister AK Antony, petroleum minister Murli Deora and tourism and culture minister Ambika Soni, had immediately cancelled their foreign visits.
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