Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and three state ministers have been provided brand new Toyota Fortuner SUVs after their existing vehicles completed the prescribed mileage of three lakh kilometers. Each vehicle is estimated to cost between Rs 45-50 lakh.
The new vehicles have been allotted to Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi.
Cabinet approval after initial delays
According to sources, the old cars of the Leader of Opposition and the three ministers had already crossed the three lakh kilometer mark, triggering the need for replacement. The General Administration Department (GAD) was asked to purchase new vehicles but initially kept delaying the procurement.
The proposal was recently placed before the state cabinet meeting, and approval for the purchase was granted after pressure from the ministers. Following the cabinet’s green signal, the Toyota Fortuner SUVs were purchased in recent days.
Sources revealed that there were discussions about providing electric vehicles to the Leader of Opposition and ministers. However, this idea was shelved due to concerns about e-cars not being fully suitable for the difficult terrain and kuccha roads in the state’s remote and hilly areas.
After ruling out electric vehicles, consensus was reached on providing top-model Toyota Fortuner SUVs. The diesel-powered vehicles were deemed most appropriate for Himachal’s terrain and weather conditions.
Each of the four Fortuner SUVs is reported to cost between Rs 45 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, bringing the total expenditure to approximately Rs 1.8 to Rs 2 crore. The vehicles are top-model variants running on diesel, considered more reliable for mountainous terrain than petrol or electric alternatives.
Sources indicate that two other ministers have also been repeatedly requesting replacement of their official vehicles. However, their cars have not yet completed the prescribed three lakh kilometer mileage, making them ineligible for immediate replacement under existing norms.
Several senior government officers are also seeking replacement of their official vehicles, claiming their cars have also completed the stipulated mileage. Many officers argue that their vehicles are beyond economical repair and maintaining them has become an expensive proposition.
However, the General Administration Department is currently putting off officers’ demands for new vehicles, despite their claims of having met the mileage criteria.
This is not the first time the Sukhu government has approved purchase of premium vehicles. Earlier, several ministers had their vehicles upgraded, and the Chief Minister himself uses a high-end official vehicle, as is the norm for the office.
However, each such purchase attracts scrutiny given the state’s proclaimed financial difficulties and the need to prioritize public welfare spending over administrative comfort.
What the government says
When asked about the vehicle purchases, government officials maintain that these are routine replacements based on prescribed norms, not discretionary purchases. They argue that:
- Vehicles had completed mandated three lakh kilometers
- Further use posed safety risks
- Maintenance costs exceeded replacement costs
- Constitutional functionaries need reliable transport
Officials also point out that such replacements happen in every government, regardless of the state’s financial situation, as they fall under essential administrative expenses.
For a government that has been emphasizing austerity and blaming fund crunch for delays in various welfare schemes, the purchase of four Fortuners worth nearly Rs 2 crore presents a perception challenge.
Critics may argue that if funds are available for premium SUVs, the financial crisis may not be as severe as claimed. Supporters would counter that routine administrative expenses cannot be stopped, and prescribed norms must be followed.
