BMW 3-series car (Representative image)
Credit: iStock Photo
New Delhi: Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman, has floated a tender to procure seven BMW cars, valued at around Rs five crore, a move that has attracted criticism.
The tender is for the supply of seven BMW 3 series 330Li cars. It has specified that it should be an 'M Sport' model with 'long wheelbase' and in white colour. The on-road price of this car is around Rs 69.5 lakh in the national capital.
At present, the Lokpal has seven members against its sanctioned strength of eight.
"Impressive in every way, the 3 Series LWB is the most powerful car in its segment with the most advanced technology," the BMW website said. The 3 Series long wheelbase car is the longest and most spacious in the segment and is designed for outstanding comfort in an extremely luxurious cabin, it said.
Criticising the move, prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan posted on 'X', "the institution of Lokpal has been ground to dust by the Modi govt, by keeping it vacant for many years & then appointing servile members who are not bothered by graft & are happy with their luxuries. They are now buying 70L BMW cars for themselves."
Congress' Shama Mohamed said on 'X', "Lokpal wants to buy 7 luxury BMW cars worth Rs 5 crore for itself. This is the same institution that was supposed to fight corruption after the so-called ‘India Against Corruption’ movement -- a movement backed by the RSS and designed only to bring down the Congress government."
Former NITI Ayog CEO Amitabh Kant too joined the debate, "they need to cancel this tender and go in for 'Make in India' electric vehicles - either Mahindra’s XEV 9E, BE 6 or Tata’s Harrier EV. They are top class vehicles."
The tender notice said the Lokpal of India invites open tenders from reputed agencies for the supply of seven BMW 3 Series Li Cars. The starting date for bid submission was October 17 and the deadline is November 6. The bid evaluation process will begin on November 7.
The delivery of cars will "preferably (be) two weeks but not later than 30 days from the date of issuing of the supply order", the document said. "Mo extension of time will be given," it said.
The selected vendor will have to conduct a comprehensive practical and theoretical training programme for the drivers and other designated staff members of the Lokpal to "ensure efficient, safe and optimal operation" of the BMW vehicles supplied, the tender document said. The training should be for a minimum duration of seven days and to be completed within 15 days from the date of delivery of vehicles.
Each designated driver shall undergo driving practice for a minimum of 50 kilometres and up to 100 kilometres if needed, as case-to-case basis practical on-road driving under the supervision of qualified trainers provided by the vendor, it said.
The training shall be conducted within the premises of Lokpal of India or at another suitable location mutually agreed upon, it said.
NCP (SP) slams Lokpal over tenders
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) urged President Droupadi Murmu to question the move of the ombudsman.
“The Lokpal is an institution that was established to inquire and investigate allegations of corruption against public functionaries. Now, the same anti-corruption ombudsman wants to buy 7 high-end BMW cars for its members? "Irony just died a thousand deaths" is the idiom that comes to mind here. This is a loot of the honest taxpayers' money,” said NCP (SP) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto.
“The President of India must question this move by the Lokpal immediately since the members are appointed by the President,” he said, adding: "BJP led government in the Centre can not shy away from this issue and should also take immediate cognisance of this move by the Lokpal because it is a blatant misuse of the taxpayers money.”