Kejriwal govt's virtual ban on buying new cars

Amid concerns over the growing number of vehicles in the National Capital, the Delhi government is preparing to virtually ban purchase of new vehicles by all departments.

Instead of purchasing new vehicles, the government wants to make do with hired vehicles for office use, said an official in Finance Department.

New vehicles would be purchased only in exceptional circumstances like ambulances or for ministers and senior officials. “The government is also planning to strictly enforce the rules providing official vehicles and only entitled officials would get the facility from now on,” said an official.

The instructions on vehicles issued at the behest of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said: “It has been analysed in the Finance Department that it is far more economical to hire vehicles rather than purchase and operate.”

A maximum monthly expenditure limit for hire and purchase facility in all departments has been fixed at Rs 35,000 per vehicle per month and Rs 45,000 per vehicle per month.

Giving freedom to administrative secretaries of the department to engage cabs, Sisodia’s office has said that before taking a decision the Finance Department’s approval should be taken by each department.