The Ministry of Finance has directed all the government officials, including the members of the cabinet, who have been provided with government vehicles to cut down on fuel consumption by 25 per cent. A statement issued by the ministry asked

officials not to use government vehicles for private purposes or on holidays, except in case of emergency. The ministry has further urged the officials to reduce the number of meetings and seminars and instead develop the trend of having discussions and sharing information through e-mails. Indeed, if this idea is implemented, it will not only help reduce government expenses on fuel but also millions of rupees that is spent on holding meetings and seminars in expensive hotels.

Moreover, at a time when the common Nepalis are reeling under acute shortages of petroleum products and other basic goods and services, it also becomes the moral responsibility of government officials to cut all kinds of wasteful expenditure, not just fuel use. However, government officials should not misuse their facility not only during times of crisis but also under normal circumstances. This would help control irregularities and misuse of public money in the government offices to a large extent. But if the past is any guide, one cannot, however, rest assured of the seriousness of the present measure. So many policies, directives and commitments had been made at various times to cut wasteful expenditure, but only to be openly violated soon afterwards.