JK Can’t Afford Luxuries: Assembly Speaker Questions Multiple Cars for Government Officers

J&K Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather questioned the use of multiple government vehicles by officials holding additional charges, saying the UT cannot afford unnecessary expenses and needs better resource use.

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather (Img: Dynamite News)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday questioned the practice of providing multiple government vehicles to officials holding additional charges, saying the Union Territory cannot afford unnecessary expenditure.

The issue came up during Question Hour after BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania asked the government whether it planned to introduce a ‘one officer, one vehicle’ policy for government departments, public sector undertakings, boards and autonomous bodies.

Transport Minister Says New Vehicle Policy Under Consideration

Responding to the query, Transport Minister Satish Sharma informed the House that there is currently no uniform policy regulating the allotment or retention of government vehicles by officers across departments and affiliated organisations.

The minister said the government is considering a revised car policy. The proposed framework is expected to include the principle of “one vehicle-one officer”, while keeping exceptions for security requirements, field duties, additional charges, emergency situations and specific operational needs.

Speaker Questions Need for Multiple Vehicles

During the discussion, Speaker Rather questioned why an officer handling additional responsibility of another department would require a separate vehicle.

“If an officer is holding two charges, why can’t he use the same vehicle?” the Speaker asked, while stressing the need for better utilisation of government resources.

He also pointed out that the issue had been discussed earlier and a committee comprising senior ministers was formed on September 1. The Speaker questioned the delay in addressing the matter.

‘If Practice Is Wrong, Why Can’t It Be Changed?’

Calling the issue a “legacy matter”, Transport Minister Satish Sharma said the government would examine the concerns raised in the House.

The Speaker, however, questioned the need for further delay and said, “If it is wrong, why can’t we change it?”

“J&K is a poor state and we cannot afford luxuries,” Rather said, while calling for rational use of public resources.

Government Asked to Submit Details

The Assembly Speaker directed the Transport Minister to present details related to government vehicle allocation and the action taken report before the House.

The minister assured the Assembly that the required information would be submitted.