India, May 13 -- Cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar will not be going to Cannes, and 22 legislators may have to forfeit a study tour in Japan. These are some of the austerity measures being taken by the state government after the prime minister appealed to governments and citizens to limit foreign travel and work from home to save fuel amid surging energy prices due to the West Asia crisis.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed ministers not to use government aircraft, except for urgent business. Even this would require him to personally sign off on such requests.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule was quick to fall in step with the austerity drive. "I have started conducting official meetings online without summonin...