New Delhi, May 18 -- Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced a series of cost-cutting and resource conservation measures following a review meeting with officials from the Agriculture Ministry, Rural Development Ministry, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and other departments.

The decisions were taken in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for frugality, self-reliance and prudent use of national resources, officials said.

Among the key outcomes of the meeting held at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, officials collectively took a voluntary pledge not to purchase gold for one year, except in unavoidable personal or family circumstances such as a wedding.

This decision is mor...