Kerala: Counting of govt vehicles likely to throw light on anomalies

Kollam: The systematic counting of government vehicles in Kerala is in progress and the process is expected to conclude by November 30. It would give the data to assess the likely anomalies. It is a first-time exercise of this kind in the state.

The government is experiencing a huge financial burden from the cost involved in buying and maintaining the vehicles. The finance ministry two years ago decided to have a quantitative check on the matter. However, various departments did not furnish details despite multiple directives.

The ministry had suggested hiring vehicles instead of buying new ones. But the departments neglected it. There were also allegations that many departments diluted or even neglected the mandates. Some departments showed vigour in buying new vehicles. Some others extravagantly spent money on the maintenance and appointed drivers in temporary posts by sabotaging the mandates.

The finance ministry was then forced to tell the officials that it will not settle the funds for vehicles unless the counting is over.

Meanwhile, the departments have started to update the vehicle details in the state government’s VEELS platform. According to the data available at present, the police department has the highest number of vehicles (5,713). The department has 2005 drivers.

Vehicles belong to other departments: 1,247 (Health), 985 (LSGD), 753 (Fire and Rescue), 601 (Forest and Wildlife) and 253 (MVD).

According to the former finance minister, the process will improve transparency. He pointed out that the Covid-19 situation and other reasons have delayed the process.