The Ministry of Finance has ordered all drivers of government vehicles to switch off engines during brief waiting periods in a new fuel‑saving crackdown, with penalties and stricter controls flagged if compliance is not achieved. In a circular dated April 2, Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Gounder said "idle parking is strictly prohibited" and set a one‑minute threshold beyond which engines must be turned off.
"Drivers are required to switch off the vehicles for any waiting time beyond 1 minute," Mr Gounder wrote in the directive, warning that government drivers found idling will face discipline and surcharges for "idle parking and fuel wastage." The circular, circulated to government departments, makes clear that the Ministry will be closely monitoring vehicle use and fuel consumption and will issue further specific directives if reductions are not realized.
The April 2 notice frames the engine‑off rule as part of broader efforts to curb fuel consumption across government operations amid rising global fuel costs. It signals a tighter line on everyday practices — such as leaving engines running while waiting outside offices or at short traffic stops — that officials say contribute to unnecessary fuel use. The circular stops short of detailing enforcement mechanisms, saying only that compliance will be closely monitored.
Mr Gounder also indicated that more far‑reaching measures are under consideration, including reducing the number of government vehicles in operation. "Options are being considered to ground certain number of vehicles across Government," the circular states, suggesting the administration may move from behavioural directives to fleet downsizing if fuel savings remain insufficient.
The move builds on government efforts in recent months to manage operating costs in the face of international fuel market volatility. While the circular targets official vehicle fleets, it could have operational implications across Ministries that rely heavily on transport for service delivery and inspections. The Ministry's threat of surcharges and disciplinary action points to an appetite for strict compliance rather than voluntary adherence.
The circular does not specify how surcharges will be calculated, what disciplinary processes will be used, or the timetable for assessing results from the new rules. It also does not set out exceptions — for example, whether engines should remain on for safety, medical, or operational reasons — leaving departments to seek clarity from the Finance Ministry as implementation begins.
This latest directive marks an escalation from general efficiency appeals to concrete behavioural rules and potential fleet management changes. The Ministry of Finance has signalled that further, more specific orders could follow should monitoring show fuel consumption has not been sufficiently reduced.
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