The Maharashtra government has approved the purchase of 44 vehicles worth 12.68 crore to transport visiting dignitaries and state guests, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders as several parts of the state grapple with acute drought conditions.
The Government Resolution authorising the procurement was issued by the Protocol Department on October 9. The government said the purchase would replace an ageing and unserviceable fleet managed by the Government Transport Service in Worli, Mumbai, as well as vehicles attached to district collectorates responsible for VIP protocol duties across Maharashtra.
The biggest expense in the approved fleet is an armoured Toyota Land Cruiser 300 equipped with high-grade ballistic protection, valued at approximately 4.07 crore.
The remaining 43 vehicles include 32 Toyota Innova Crystas, estimated to cost 20.71 lakh each; two Toyota Fortuners, priced at around 30 lakh each; seven Maruti Suzuki Ertigas, costing approximately 11.59 lakh each; a Force Urbania bus worth 31 lakh; and a Tata 207 towing vehicle priced at 9 lakh.
DROUGHT-HIT FARMERS, GOVT SPENDING UNDER SCRUTINY
The timing of the approval has intensified political and public criticism, with farming communities in several talukas facing the consequences of below-average rainfall. Widespread crop failures, water shortages and mounting financial strain have compounded the difficulties for farmers across affected areas.
Opposition leaders have questioned the government's spending priorities, arguing that it is allocating crores of rupees to VIP transport while drought-hit farmers await relief assistance.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant sharply criticised the government for approving the multi-crore vehicle fleet while simultaneously preaching fiscal prudence to the public.
The controversy has brought the government's expenditure on dignitary transport under scrutiny at a time when drought conditions have heightened concerns over the availability of financial assistance for affected farming communities.
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS VEHICLE REPLACEMENT
Government representatives have defended the procurement, arguing that the replacement process began months ago and forms part of routine logistical maintenance rather than an emergency luxury upgrade.
Officials said many vehicles in the existing protocol fleet had exceeded their operational life cycle. They also cited the risk of breakdowns during high-security visits by state and national leaders as a reason for replacing the ageing vehicles.
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