Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has made it mandatory for all departments to buy electric vehicles (EVs) for official use in view of the global energy crisis caused by the West Asia conflict.

The Finance Department of the state government has issued detailed guidelines for the procurement of EVs with effect from June 1.

As per the guidelines, the maximum prices of the EVs for the official use of Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice and other judges of Orissa High Court, and ministers must not cross Rs 30 lakh.

Similarly, the cost ceiling for EVs for the Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioner-cum-Secretaries, Agriculture Production Commissioner and other officers of equivalent rank has been fixed at Rs 25 lakh.

District judges, Collectors and SPs can spend upto Rs 20 lakh while buying EVs for their official use, said the state government.

It is worth mentioning here that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had recently issued an eight-point directive for all departments to reduce fuel consumption in view of the worldwide energy crisis.

The Chief Minister had asked the departments to opt for EVs while buying new two-wheelers and four-wheelers for official use.

Besides, it has been made mandatory that the departments will hire only EVs if there is a requirement.

The Chief Minister had asked all government departments and offices to introduce appropriate measures for reducing fuel consumption by at least 10 per cent.