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New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) India’s Lokpal’s plan to buy seven high-end luxury cars at a total cost of Rs 5 crore – Rs 70 lakh each has sparked outrage on social media, with some users on Tuesday advising the anti-corruption watchdog to focus on “corruption” instead of “luxury”.
Apparently, the seven luxury cars are for the chairman and six other members of the Delhi-based institute, one less than the currently sanctioned number of eight.
The name of the German car brand and its model has been mentioned in detail in the tender issued by the Ombudsman. “Lokpal of India invites open tenders from reputed agencies for the supply of seven cars,” the tender issued on October 16 said.
As the price of the car model mentioned in the contract is said to be around Rs 69.50 lakh (on-road price in Delhi), the tender attracted a lot of public attention, with many social media users calling it a step towards “waste of public money”.
Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan said on social media that the “serving members” of the Lokpal are not bothered by corruption and are happy with their luxuries. He said, they are now buying cars worth Rs 70 lakh for themselves.
Lokpal’s alleged Rs 5 crore car spending plan also irked many social media users, who questioned the detailed specifications of the vehicle and the white color mentioned in the tender.
The Lokpal tender also indicated that the anti-corruption ombudsman plans to acquire the luxury vehicles within 30 days from October 16.
While floating the tender, the ombudsman, who works from an office in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj Institutional Area, also added a provision for the car supplier to train its staff in using high-end vehicles. The last date for bidding for the tender is November 6.
Despite public scrutiny and uproar over the price of each vehicle, the Lokpal appears to be following the rule book in purchasing vehicles.
“The terms and conditions of contract that shall govern any contract are those contained in the GFR 2017, Ministry of Finance’s Manual for Procurement of Goods 2017 and all orders issued from time to time by other relevant departments of the Government of India, issued prior to the issue of this tender,” the advertised tender said.
An angry social media user mocked the Lokpal team, saying, “They are simple down to earth people, that’s why they chose this brand instead of Rolls-Royce, which costs Rs 12 crore.”
The Lokpal is chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, who was appointed as the Chairperson in March 2024.
–IANS
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