India, May 14 -- Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for austerity to conserve fuel and foreign exchange amid the ongoing war in West Asia, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a series of cutbacks in official expenditures following two high-level meetings on Wednesday.

To begin with, the size of the convoys for the CM and ministers has been halved. 14 vehicles form the CM's convoy, including Z-plus security, which will now be reduced to 7. In fact, the CM travelled to Navi Mumbai with the reduced convoy on Wednesday. Additionally, ministers have been asked to curb overseas tours, avoid using aircraft and helicopters, and shift all official meetings online.

"These steps are being taken to reduce the utilisation of ...