Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Approves ₹1.32 Crore For Four Lokayukta Vehicles Amid Drought
The Maharashtra government approved money to buy four vehicles for the Lokayukta office.
The total amount is about ₹1.32 crore.
Each vehicle can cost up to ₹33 lakh.
The approved model is the Innova-Hycross ZX-7S.
The vehicles are for members of the recently sworn-in Lokayukta establishment.
At the same time, 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas have been declared affected by drought.
Some ministers have asked officials to avoid wasteful spending and use simpler arrangements.
This has led people to debate whether the vehicle purchase is appropriate during the drought.
Maharashtra sanctioned approximately ₹1.32 crore for four vehicles for the Lokayukta office.
The approved Innova-Hycross ZX-7S vehicles are budgeted at ₹33 lakh each.
The vehicles are intended for members of the recently sworn-in Lokayukta establishment.
Drought has been declared in 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas after deficient rainfall and dry spells.
The purchase has prompted debate amid ministerial appeals to reduce unnecessary public and personal spending.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, its General Administration Department, and members of the Lokayukta establishment.
- What
- The government sanctioned approximately ₹1.32 crore for four Innova-Hycross ZX-7S vehicles.
- When
- The vehicle review and administrative approval were announced on September 4, followed by a Government Resolution sanctioning the funds.
- Where
- Maharashtra.
- Why
- The vehicles were approved for members of the Lokayukta office; the decision has drawn scrutiny because the state is facing drought and calls for spending restraint.
Critics of the spending
Administrative approval
Use of public funds during drought
Critics of the spending
Critics question spending approximately ₹1.32 crore on four vehicles while 265 talukas face drought and farmers face financial difficulties.
Administrative approval
The General Administration Department formally approved a specified allocation for vehicles intended for members of the Lokayukta establishment.
Consistency with austerity appeals
Critics of the spending
The purchase has been viewed as inconsistent with calls to avoid unnecessary expenditure, including formal felicitations, expensive refreshments, and elaborate meals at official meetings.
Administrative approval
The articles report the administrative approval and vehicle allocation but do not provide a separate government explanation addressing the criticism.
Extent of spending restraint
Critics of the spending
The reported purchase has prompted debate because ministers have urged restraint during difficult conditions.
Administrative approval
The reported appeals included Uday Samant’s instructions concerning official meetings and Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil’s appeal for farmers to minimize expenses; the articles do not say that these appeals formally prohibited the vehicle purchase.
- Total allocation
- Approximately ₹1.32 crore
- Number of vehicles
- Four
- Budget per vehicle
- ₹33 lakh
- Approved model
- Innova-Hycross ZX-7S
- Drought-affected talukas
- 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas
- Approving department
- General Administration Department
- Approval timeline
- Vehicle requirements were reviewed and administrative approval was granted on September 4, followed by a Government Resolution
