Gangtok, May 14 -- The Sikkim government has unveiled a wide-ranging austerity initiative aimed at reducing fuel consumption and limiting non-essential government expenditure, following a national appeal for resource conservation and administrative discipline.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced that the number of vehicles in his official convoy would be reduced by half as part of the state's effort to promote responsible governance and conserve fuel. The move forms part of a broader set of temporary administrative measures adopted during an emergency meeting held at Samman Bhawan involving cabinet ministers, legislators, senior bureaucrats and district officials.

In a significant change to official protocol practices, District C...