2 hrs ago
Maharashtra Approves Luxury Lokayukta Cars Amid Severe Drought
The Maharashtra government approved money to buy four expensive cars for the Lokayukta office.
The total cost is Rs 1.32 crore.
Each car can cost up to Rs 33 lakh.
The approved model is the Innova-Hycross ZX-7S.
The cars are for recently sworn-in members of the office.
At the same time, much of Maharashtra is facing drought because of poor rainfall.
Drought has been declared in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas.
The decision has caused debate because ministers recently asked officials and citizens to avoid unnecessary spending.
Maharashtra approved Rs 1.32 crore for four vehicles for the Lokayukta office.
The General Administration Department sanctioned Rs 33 lakh per vehicle for Innova-Hycross ZX-7S cars.
The vehicles are intended for recently sworn-in Lokayukta office members.
The approval comes as drought has been declared in 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas.
The purchase has drawn criticism amid ministerial appeals for restraint and reduced public spending.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government and the recently sworn-in members of the Lokayukta office.
- What
- Approval was given for Rs 1.32 crore to purchase four Innova-Hycross ZX-7S vehicles.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- When
- A revised vehicle review and administrative approval were announced on September 4, followed by the recent Government Resolution.
- Why
- The vehicles were allocated to members of the Lokayukta office; the spending is being debated because the state is facing drought and calls for financial restraint.
Critics of the spending
Administrative approval
Use of public funds
Critics of the spending
Critics argue that spending Rs 1.32 crore on luxury vehicles is difficult to justify while Maharashtra faces severe drought and ministers are urging restraint.
Administrative approval
The government’s General Administration Department formally approved the purchase for four recently sworn-in members of the Lokayukta office, with a specified budget and vehicle model.
Government calls for austerity
Critics of the spending
The purchase appears inconsistent with appeals to avoid waste, including bans on ceremonial honours, dry-fruit service at official meetings and calls for simpler meals.
Administrative approval
The reported approval establishes an administrative allocation for vehicles, but the articles do not state a separate government justification addressing the austerity concerns.
Key facts
- Total allocation
- Rs 1.32 crore
- Number of vehicles
- Four
- Per-vehicle budget
- Rs 33 lakh
- Approved model
- Innova-Hycross ZX-7S
- Drought-affected talukas
- 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas
- Approving department
- Maharashtra General Administration Department
- Review and approval date
- September 4 for the revised vehicle review and administrative approval
Sources
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