The Arvind Kejriwal Government is planning to ban purchase of new vehicles by all its departments and encourage the use of hired automobiles. New vehicles would be purchased only in exceptional circumstances.
It is estimated that the 129 departments of the Delhi Government collectively have over 15,000 vehicles.
The move comes in the wake of rising concerns over the massive air pollution caused by the increasing number of vehicles on the city’s roads and the resultant traffic jams.
A circular issued by the Finance Department said, “Several proposals from different departments have been received by the Finance Department for purchase of vehicles either as a replacement or in addition to the existing fleet. However, according to our analysis, it is far more economical to hire vehicles rather than purchase and operate a fleet. Purchase of vehicles will be allowed in exceptional circumstances only. For instance, new vehicles for Ministers and equivalent posts/Principal Secretaries, fire department and ambulance services will be allowed.”
The circular said new vehicles may be purchased only through the Directorate-General of Supplies and Disposals on rate contract mode, adding, that model base and parameters like fuel
economy, eco-friendliness would be considered before buying the cars.
A maximum monthly expenditure limit for hire and purchase facility in all departments has been fixed at `35,000 per vehicle per month and `45,000 per vehicle per month. The departments will have to take prior approval for the number of vehicles to be hired at the beginning of the financial year. To check wasteful expenditure and misuse of Government vehicles, the Finance Department has advised all officials to enforce “strict economy” in expenditure.
The notice also warns against misuse of office vehicles. “The departments shall also ensure that the hired vehicles are used for the purpose for which they are hired,” the circular said.
The Finance Department also made it clear that vehicles would be hired only for officers having pay scale of Rs 37,400 to Rs 67,000 per month in case Government vehicles or staff cars are not available with the department.
The notice also advised all wings that only officials entitled to staff cars should be offered the facility and they would not be entitled to transport allowance if they avail of it. Sources said the Government is also planning to strictly enforce the rules for providing official vehicles from now on.