Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has already issued an order to stop holding Railway Board meetings in star hotels. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Minister of State for Environment Jairam Ramesh have announced their support for austerity measures.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath is learnt to have cancelled her tour to New York. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad joined in the austerity drive by asking officials to cut down on foreign and domestic travel.

Last week, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal cancelled a goodwill visit by a parliamentary delegation to Egypt and Greece to save the government exchequer some money.

In a cabinet meeting Thursday, some ministers voiced reservations about the practicality of their travelling in economy class, especially on trips abroad. The prime minister reportedly agreed to make exceptions in some cases for taking business class, provided advance permission is sought.