KOZHIKODE: The district finance inspecting office (DFIO) has submitted a proposal before the state government to introduce a new paint design for official vehicles to curb the rampant misuse of vehicles. “A cross pattern of painting would make people inside the government vehicles easily identifiable. Then the people could contact higher-ups over the errands. In most cases, officers cover up the official name boards and run it for personal use,” said a top officer at the DFIO, who wished anonymity.
In Kozhikode, the local self government department tops in the misuse of official vehicles. Both Koduvally, Kundamangalam block panchayats had claimed a whopping bill of more than Rs 3,00,000 for fuel and vehicle maintenance for a vehicle in a year.
Another violation detected was the usage of colour in the name boards on the vehicle. According to the government order, Kerala state electricity board (KSEB) should use boards with a blue background. But authorities had seized the vehicle of the anti-power theft wing of the KSEB with the board on a red background.
“When questioned the reply we got was interesting. The errand officials said that only vehicles carrying a board on a red background evokes fear and respect among the public,” told the official. DFIO officers are hoping that the new government would implement the proposal at the earliest.
