The Odisha state government has mandated a special audit by the Accountant General (AG) into the forest department's procurement of Mahindra Thar all-terrain vehicles. This move comes in response to serious allegations that the department purchased these SUVs at prices substantially higher than the prevailing market rates.
Audit Ordered to Scrutinize Procurement Process
In a formal communication issued on Monday, the forest department wrote to the AG (Audit-II), requesting the deputation of an audit team. The team's mandate is to examine the entire process of procurement and customisation of the Thar vehicles during the 2024–25 financial year.
The audit will be conducted at the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) (Wildlife). The department's letter explicitly stated the purpose: to audit "the process of procurement and customisation of vehicles by the former in the financial year 2024-25." Officials clarified that the audit aims to determine whether the vehicles were bought at rates significantly exceeding their market value.
Details of the Controversial Purchase
According to sources, the forest department acquired a total of 51 Thar vehicles. The initial procurement cost was approximately Rs 7 crore, translating to roughly Rs 14 lakh per unit. Subsequently, an additional Rs 5.02 crore was spent on renovation and customisation work.
This brings the total expenditure to about Rs 12.02 crore. Some official documents even indicate a final cost nearing Rs 12.35 crore after including all customisation expenses. The customised SUVs have been deployed across crucial wildlife divisions in the state, including:
- Similipal Tiger Reserve
- Satkosia Tiger Reserve
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Several other forest and wildlife divisions
Apart from routine patrolling by frontline staff, these robust vehicles are also utilized for jungle safaris and nature trails for tourists visiting protected areas.
Political Scrutiny and Government's Defence
The procurement first came under the scanner in March after BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo raised the issue in the Odisha Assembly. He sought detailed clarifications on the purchase process and the substantial additional spending on upgrades.
In response, the concerned minister informed the Assembly that the Thar vehicles were indeed purchased during the 2024–25 fiscal year. He defended the procurement, stating that each customised unit was fitted with 21 types of specialized equipment.
The minister outlined the critical field operations these vehicles support, which include:
- Transporting fire-fighting equipment during forest fires
- Wildlife protection activities
- Curbing timber smuggling
- Monitoring and rescue of tigers and other wild animals
The state government's decision to order an AG-led audit reflects its intent to ensure transparency and accountability in high-value departmental procurements. The findings of this special audit are now awaited to bring clarity to the financial aspects of this deal.
