Maharashtra Approves Rs 12.68 Cr for 44 VVIP Vehicles Amid Drought

The Protocol Department has cleared the procurement to replace ageing and unserviceable vehicles used by the Government Transport Service in Mumbai and district collectorates. The fleet will include one bulletproof vehicle, 32 Toyota Innova Crystas, seven Maruti Suzuki Ertigas, two Toyota Fortuners, a Force Urbania bus and a Tata towing vehicle.

The vehicles will be procured through the Centre's Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal for official visits and convoy arrangements.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Sachin Sawant criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government, accusing it of preaching austerity to the public while continuing to spend on VIP comforts. He said that when farmers were battling drought and seeking relief, spending crores of rupees on VIP vehicles raised serious questions about the government's priorities and sensitivity towards the people.

The Protocol Department issued a government resolution (GR) on Friday regarding the purchase of new vehicles for VVIPs and dignitaries.

According to the GR, a total of 44 vehicles will be purchased through the GeM portal. Administrative approval has been granted for an expenditure of Rs 12,68,64,342.

An official said several vehicles operated by the Government Transport Service in Mumbai and the protocol branches of district collectorates had completed their prescribed service life and become technically unfit for use.

Complaints had also been received from visiting dignitaries about old and uncomfortable vehicles, while ministers' offices had sought new vehicles. Accordingly, the government decided to procure new vehicles for VVIPs through the GR.

“Of the 44 new vehicles, 10 will be purchased for the Government Transport Service in Mumbai, while 34 will be provided to district collectorates in the first phase to replace condemned vehicles,” the official said.

The GR stated that the fleet would comprise 32 Toyota Innova Crysta diesel vehicles, two Toyota Fortuners, one Toyota Land Cruiser 300 with NIJ III/B6 protection, seven Maruti Suzuki Ertiga petrol vehicles, one Tata 207 Yodha towing vehicle and one Force Urbania bus with a seating capacity of 16 plus a driver.

“The vehicles will be procured through the GeM portal under the single-source procurement method,” the GR stated.

In a post on X, Sawant, who is also the Congress party's national secretary, criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government, accusing it of hypocrisy and insensitivity amid the severe drought affecting Maharashtra.

He recalled that after Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, the government projected an image of austerity by removing red beacon lights and introducing restrictions on ministers' expenditure and vehicle purchases. However, he questioned this approach, pointing to the Prime Minister's use of expensive aircraft and luxury vehicles.

Sawant also referred to Modi's repeated appeals to citizens to avoid purchasing gold and travelling abroad, arguing that such calls for restraint appeared contradictory when the government itself was approving substantial expenditure on VVIP vehicles.

With drought-hit farmers demanding urgent assistance and concerns mounting over the economic impact of international conflicts, Sawant questioned the government's priorities.

He said the government was asking citizens to practise austerity while continuing to spend on VIP comforts.

“Yet, this government is so insensitive that while preaching austerity to the public, it is itself purchasing vehicles worth crores of rupees. After all, BJP leaders must not be made to face any inconvenience!” he said sarcastically.

Sawant also likened the situation to a house on fire while people beat drums at its entrance, accusing those in power of indulging in luxury while the state faces mounting financial pressures.