"I have appealed to all district officials to cut down on oil consumption”

An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer in Bihar is trying to set an example on how to save fuel -- by not using his official vehicle and going to work on foot or on a bicycle.

Arvind Kumar Singh, district magistrate of Kaimur, around 150 km from Patna, has decided not to use his beacon-fitted car to go to his office to save fuel.

Arvind Kumar (in the foreground) walks to his office everyday to save fuel

"I am going to office - a distance of nearly two km - on foot or by cycle for the last few days. It is a small step to reduce domestic demand of crude oil as import of oil is bad for the already crisis-ridden economy of the country," said Singh.

Singh has also ordered that generator sets should not be used in government offices for at least two hours from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every day to save fuel.

He said the idea came to him when he was reading a newspaper.

"What bothered me was that the Indian economy is in deep crisis, due to huge outflow of foreign currency to meet growing oil demand," he said.

The officer has inspired several district officials not to use their official vehicles.

Singh said his move was serving two purposes as it was good for health also.

"I have appealed to all district officials to cut down on oil consumption in all possible ways and use official vehicles only when necessary," he said.

"I have begun a small move. Now it is for people to follow it," he said.

However, Singh in an honest admission said he was forced to use his official vehicle while going for a visit to interior areas outside the district headquarters. - IANS