Maharashtra Allocates ₹12.68 Crore for VIP Vehicles Amid Drought
The Maharashtra government has approved a ₹12.68 crore fleet for VIP transport, raising eyebrows as drought conditions persist.
Maharashtra government approved 44 vehicles worth ₹12.68 crore for VIP transport.
Criticism arises as drought-affected farmers await relief while funds are allocated for luxury vehicles.
The fleet includes an armoured Toyota Land Cruiser valued at ₹4.07 crore.
In a controversial move, the Maharashtra government has sanctioned the purchase of 44 vehicles totaling ₹12.68 crore for the transportation of VIPs. This decision has sparked significant backlash as various regions in the state are currently grappling with severe drought conditions, leading to widespread crop failures and water shortages.
The Government Resolution, issued by the Protocol Department on October 9, outlines the need for these vehicles to replace an aging fleet used by the Government Transport Service in Worli, Mumbai, and other district collectorates tasked with VIP protocol duties. Among the vehicles approved, the most notable is an armoured Toyota Land Cruiser 300, which carries a hefty price tag of approximately ₹4.07 crore.
The fleet also includes 32 Toyota Innova Crystas, each estimated to cost ₹20.71 lakh, two Toyota Fortuners priced around ₹30 lakh each, seven Maruti Suzuki Ertigas at ₹11.59 lakh each, a Force Urbania bus valued at ₹31 lakh, and a Tata 207 towing vehicle costing ₹9 lakh. This extensive expenditure has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who argue that the government should prioritize aid for drought-affected farmers instead of luxury vehicles for dignitaries.
The timing of this procurement has intensified scrutiny of the government's spending priorities, especially as farming communities in several talukas face dire conditions due to below-average rainfall. Critics, including Congress leader Sachin Sawant, have condemned the government for its apparent disregard for the plight of farmers while allocating substantial funds for VIP transport.
In response to the backlash, government officials have defended the vehicle procurement, stating that the replacement process had been in the works for several months and is part of routine maintenance rather than an extravagant upgrade. They emphasized that many vehicles in the existing fleet had surpassed their operational lifespan and that the risk of breakdowns during high-security visits necessitated the replacement of these aging vehicles.
