After calling upon citizens to save fuel and undertake steps to cut the import bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reduced the strength of his own official convoy to two vehicles and asked Cabinet colleagues also to spend wisely.After the PM, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers opted for leaner convoys, while Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states announced measures to ensure optimum utilisation of available resources, including fuel.Top government sources, meanwhile, said PM’s appeal was not about austerity.“Prime Minister Modi’s recent appeal to conserve fuel, adopt work-from-home where possible and reduce avoidable foreign-exchange outflows are not austerity measures.That phrase is misleading as the government is not implementing austerity measures which has negative economic connotations,” said a top official.The officials said the word “austerity” usually suggests budget cuts, reduced government spending, lower subsidies and fiscal tightening.“The government is not cutting capital expenditure, welfare spending, or subsidies,” sources clarified. As for the PM’s convoy, it was reduced during his recent visits to Gujarat and Assam — states he visited after making the public appeal to citizens in Hyderabad.The PM has also instructed inclusion of electric vehicles, where possible, in his entourage within the available purchase structure.New purchases have been barred, officials said.Several BJP and NDA-ruled states announces fuel cut measures. These included UP, Maharashtra, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.KHARGE ATTACKS PMCongress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for preaching austerity to citizens despite spending huge amounts on self-promotion and said the government has not bothered to increase old age pensions for the past 12 years.Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has directed an immediate 50 per cent reduction in the fleet of official vehicles meant for the CM and ministers.Yogi has also asked large institutions to implement two days a week work from home. Fifty per cent of official meetings in the state will be conducted virtually and emphasis will be placed on car pools and public transport, as advised by the PM.Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav also announced reduced fleet for the CM and other convoys and asked newly appointed officials to assume charge without fanfare. “There will be no vehicle rallies during tours,” Yadav said.Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said she and her ministerial colleagues will prioritise public transport. Gupta also urged people’s support in saving energy.Governors of states also began announcing energy-saving measures today, with Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya cutting down official cavalcade by 70 per cent.Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta declared Lok Bhavan a fuel conservation zone and appealed to universities to lead conservation efforts. He announced petrol-free Jattvibedays, barring use of fuel-dependent official vehicles on that day.