PMC Allocates Rs 6.8 Crore for New Fleet of SUVs and Sedans for Office-Bearers
In a significant move, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has sanctioned the purchase of 28 new vehicles for its newly elected office-bearers. This decision, approved by the civic standing committee, involves an expenditure of Rs 6.8 crore to acquire premium SUVs and sedans, including models like the Innova Hycross and Verna.
Details of the Vehicle Procurement Plan
The proposal outlines specific allocations for various positions within the civic body. The Mayor will receive two vehicles: an Innova Hycross Hybrid priced at Rs 28.90 lakh and a Verna costing Rs 15.92 lakh. Similarly, the chairperson of the Standing Committee will be provided with a Victoris SUV worth Rs 17.72 lakh and a Verna car at Rs 15.92 lakh.
Other officials, such as the Deputy Mayor and Leader of the House, will each get a Verna car valued at Rs 15.92 lakh, while the Leader of the Opposition will be assigned a Victoris SUV at Rs 17.72 lakh. Additionally, chairpersons of committees including Legal, Women and Child Welfare, Sports, Biodiversity, and 15 ward committees will each receive a Grand Vitara SUV costing Rs 16.56 lakh.
Rationale Behind the Purchase
Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram emphasized the necessity of this procurement, stating that with recent civic elections, there is an urgent need to provide official vehicles to new office-bearers. Currently, PMC owns 1,259 vehicles, but only 127 fall under the cars and jeep category, with 44 jeeps and 83 cars, including 27 Ambassador models. The commissioner noted that 230 vehicles are required for daily use, but 28 are currently unavailable, necessitating this purchase.
The total cost of Rs 6.8 crore exceeds the budgetary provision of Rs 1.5 crore for the financial year, requiring an additional Rs 5.3 crore. To cover this, PMC plans to reallocate funds originally earmarked for a Hazmat vehicle for the fire department, which was budgeted at Rs 8 crore but will now cost only Rs 2.7 crore.
Compliance with State Government Rules
The procurement adheres to state government guidelines, which set cost limits for vehicles for civic office-bearers and officers. In line with these rules, PMC will also purchase premium SUVs, including Seven Seater Innova Hycross models, for the Municipal Commissioner and three additional Municipal Commissioners.
Commissioner Ram recommended vehicles from Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and Hyundai Motors India Ltd due to their good standards and after-sale services. The civic body has previously purchased vehicles from Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and found their after-service satisfactory, making them a viable option as well.
This move highlights PMC's focus on ensuring efficient governance by equipping its representatives with reliable transportation, while balancing fiscal constraints and regulatory compliance.
