Arjumand Shah
Srinagar, Oct 22 (KINS): The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the purchase of 90 Mahindra Scorpio vehicles for the newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), just days after their election.
An official order, a copy of which was obtained by KINS, reveals that Rs 14.85 crore has been sanctioned for the procurement under the 2024-25 Motor Garages Capex Budget. The funds will be drawn from the “Purchase and Replacement of Vehicles” allocation.
The Director of Motor Garages, J&K, has been tasked with overseeing the procurement process, which will be conducted through the Government e-Marketplace (GEM) portal in compliance with the General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017. All necessary e-tendering and formal procedures will be followed.
The order strictly mandates that the allocated funds are to be used solely for the purchase of vehicles and cannot be redirected for other purposes. Furthermore, no new positions, such as drivers, will be created, and the department must ensure that the funds are utilized efficiently, avoiding any unspent balances.
The Director is also responsible for ensuring all financial transactions related to the purchase are properly recorded, with utilization certificates and financial reports to be submitted by March 31, 2025.
