Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has instructed all departments for rationalisation of official vehicle use in view of the energy crisis caused by the West Asia conflict.

The Finance Department of the state government today issued an office memorandum in this regard.

“In view of the prevailing fuel and energy challenges arising from the recent West Asia crisis, the state government is pleased to issue the following instructions for strict compliance by all concerned,” read the office memorandum.

As per the instructions, officers in the rank of Special Secretary and above shall be entitled to an independent vehicle for official purpose.

Officers promoted to the rank of Additional Secretary on or after June 1, 2026 shall use official vehicles on pool basis. These officers will become eligible for an independent vehicle only upon completion of three years of services in the rank of Additional Secretary, said the state government.

“Officers in the rank of Under Secretary to Joint Secretary working in Administrative Departments as well as officers of equivalent rank working in various Heads of Departments shall be provided with pool vehicles. At least two to three officers shall share one pool vehicle,” added the government.

The officials have been asked to travel by bus or rail instead of using official vehicles while visiting distance locations within the state.