The Kerala state government has sanctioned an additional expenditure of Rs 1.10 crore for procuring two new vehicles for the Chief Minister's use. This decision, made with barely five months left in the present government's term, has invoked special relaxation under the Kerala Budget Manual to bypass existing economy restrictions, raising questions about urgency and financial prudence.
Finance Department's Order and the Bypass
The finance department issued the order on Monday, authorising the amount under the police department budget. The funds are specifically earmarked for replacing vehicles used by the Chief Minister. The order directs that this expenditure be regularised later through the reappropriation of savings before the current financial year concludes. The government chose to process this purchase under relaxation clauses, planning to settle it through supplementary demands.
Scrutiny Over Fleet Size and Timing
The move has triggered significant scrutiny. An earlier home department order from late October reveals that seven vehicles already form part of the CM's authorised Z+ category convoy. This fleet includes five Toyota Innova Crystas and a Kia Carnival. Notably, four of these vehicles were purchased in 2022 and two this year, indicating that most are relatively new and have seen limited use since being inducted.
Furthermore, in that same October order, the government had already raised the annual maintenance ceiling for each of these vehicles from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. This increase was justified citing higher repair costs, tyre and spare part replacements, and expenses from accidental damage.
Opposition Criticism and Fiscal Concerns
Opposition parties are expected to sharply question the timing of this fresh allocation. The criticism stems from the fact that the government has simultaneously imposed strict spending controls on several welfare and development sectors, citing severe fiscal strain. Critics have previously accused the administration of prioritising luxury and official comforts while delaying payments for social schemes and cutting allocations across various departments.
The finance department's justification of the purchase as a ‘replacement' expenditure appears questionable to many, given the recently sanctioned vehicle list for the CM and their short service history. The decision places a spotlight on the government's spending priorities during its final months in office.
