The Odisha government, days after mandating a shift to electric vehicles (EVs) due to fuel supply concerns linked to the West Asia crisis, has capped procurement costs for official vehicles. Top functionaries, including the governor, chief minister, ministers, and high court judges, can procure EVs up to Rs 30 lakh, while collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) are allowed vehicles priced up to Rs 20 lakh.
Cost Limits for Senior Bureaucrats
Senior bureaucrats such as the chief secretary, development commissioner, agriculture production commissioner, departmental secretaries, and officers of equivalent rank can purchase EVs costing up to Rs 25 lakh. As per an office memorandum effective Monday, procurement of EVs will require prior concurrence of the finance department. New vehicles can be purchased only after completion of the prescribed lifespan and scrapping of the existing ones.
Approved Manufacturers and Principles
The government has specified EVs manufactured by Tata, Mahindra, and Maruti. Officials must adhere to the ‘one officer, one vehicle’ principle. Procurement of petrol or diesel vehicles will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances, as stated in the order issued by finance secretary Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra.
Government-supported undertakings, institutions, universities, and societies under the state government have also been directed to follow the new guidelines. The move follows a directive issued by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on May 21 to shift to electric vehicles for official use starting June 1, covering all new purchases and hired vehicles.
Revised Hiring Charges
The government has also issued separate guidelines for hiring vehicles and increased hiring charges. Officers in the rank of additional secretary and above or equivalent, and heads of department, are entitled to an independent vehicle, while a “pool vehicle” provision shall be made for officers in the rank of undersecretary, deputy secretary, joint secretary, or equivalent rank working in the state government. Maximum monthly hiring charges for vehicles have been revised for ministers and senior bureaucrats to Rs 50,400 from the current Rs 42,000. Secretaries can hire vehicles at Rs 36,000 per month, up from Rs 30,000 earlier. The government stated that the cost had to be revised as the last revision was done in 2019.
