The Allahabad High Court issued austerity measures to reduce fuel consumption and improve resource efficiency, directing officers and staff to adopt car pooling, public transport, online meetings, and hybrid court proceedings. The initiative follows guidance from the Chief Justice of India and the Central Government.
The Allahabad High Court has issued an administrative directive outlining austerity-focused measures aimed at curbing fuel usage and improving resource efficiency. The step was taken in response to a communication from the Chief Justice of India dated May 15, 2026, along with guidance contained in an Office Memorandum from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India. Through the order, the High Court asked its officers, employees, and other stakeholders to implement steps such as car pooling, increased reliance on public transport, online meetings, and hybrid conduct of court proceedings.
Under an office order dated May 31, 2026, the measures are applicable to both the High Court’s principal seat in Allahabad and its Lucknow Bench. The directive was issued with the approval of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
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To ensure fuel is utilized optimally, Registry officers in Allahabad and Lucknow have been instructed to promote car-pooling arrangements among themselves. The order also states that employees across all categories from Class-IV staff to Class-I officers should be encouraged to share vehicles wherever feasible. In addition, staff have been advised to make maximum use of public transport.
The High Court further directed that committee meetings involving members from both Allahabad and Lucknow should, as far as possible, be conducted through video conferencing or other online platforms. The order also allows for the appointment of a co-presenting officer to assist in conducting these virtual meetings.
A major feature of the directive is the introduction of hybrid hearings. The High Court stated that court proceedings may be held in hybrid mode depending on the discretion of the concerned courts and judges.
The order also encourages advocates to appear via video conferencing, and requests that office-bearers and members of the Bar make the fullest use of the hybrid hearing facility.
To support virtual participation in court proceedings, the High Court directed the Registrar (Judicial) (Computer) to set up a dedicated e-mail ID and at least two helpline numbers. These arrangements are intended to help advocates and litigants access information and support related to hybrid hearings.
The office order has been circulated to multiple High Court officials, including the Senior Registrar at the Lucknow Bench, Registrars, Bench Secretaries, the High Court Bar Association, and other concerned authorities, for necessary compliance and implementation. The order also includes instructions for uploading the directive on the official website and taking steps required to operationalize the hybrid hearing framework.
Key Measures Highlighted
- Car pooling for Registry officers
- Encouragement of vehicle sharing for all staff members
- Greater use of public transport
- Online committee meetings for members from Allahabad and Lucknow
- Hybrid mode of court proceedings at the discretion of judges
- Increased use of video conferencing by advocates
- Establishment of a dedicated e-mail ID and two helpline numbers to support virtual hearings
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