No take-off without CM nod: Maharashtra ministers need Fadnavis approval for official flights

Maharashtra has directed its ministers to obtain prior approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before using aircraft for official work.

The instruction comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity measures amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, with the state government aligning itself with the Centre’s push to cut avoidable expenditure and reduce fuel use.

Under the new arrangement, ministers cannot use state aircraft without clearance from the Chief Minister’s Office, though Fadnavis himself will continue to fly as needed for official commitments.

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Ministers told to seek CM nod before official air travel

Senior BJP leader and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed the directive, saying the chief minister had instructed that ministers “cannot use aircraft without his prior approval.”

He said he uses flights only for urgent work and about four or five times a year. Bawankule also said many ministerial meetings have already shifted online, reflecting the government’s broader attempt to reduce non-essential travel and adopt leaner administrative practices.

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The austerity push is being implemented beyond air travel as well.

Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane has directed departments under him to move meetings online and prioritise electric vehicles over petrol and diesel cars for official use.

The measures mirror Modi’s public appeal, made at a meeting in Hyderabad on Sunday, to reduce petroleum consumption, use public transport, revive work-from-home and virtual meetings where possible, avoid non-essential foreign travel, cut gold purchases for a year and buy local.

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Austerity push follows PM Modi’s appeal to cut fuel use

Fadnavis is exempt from the restriction because of his packed schedule.

Bawankule said the chief minister is “very busy and has to reach multiple places on time,” which is why he continues to use aircraft more often than other ministers.

The directive has now begun filtering down through departments, signalling a stricter official travel discipline in the state government.