Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that there was nothing wrong with purchasing SUVs for Ministers in the state. Earlier, Karnataka government had okayed the purchase of 33 high-end SUVs for its cabinet Ministers. The decision of the state government, however, created a controversy since the state is under financial crunch.
According to IANS, DK Shivakumar said, "What’s wrong? The ministers have to travel long distances and their safety also has to be considered. In other states, services of chartered flights and helicopters are available. I am using regular commercial flights for commuting.”
The Cabinet ministers are set to receive Toyota Innova hybrid SUVs from the state government. The move is likely taken at an estimated price of Rs 9.9 crore. The approximate price of each car is Rs 39 lakh.
In order to avoid floating tenders, the government has granted a 4(G) exemption under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act.
The car is the world's first fully ethanol-powered flex-fuel engine vehicle and it was launched only recently. The government immediately after the launch on August 29 placed an order for the Ministers.
However, the government's decision has created a debate, particularly at a time when many Congress MLAs are opposing the withholding of funding for development initiatives.
Meanwhile, BJP criticised Congress government over purchasing high-end cars at a time when the state was under drought conditions.
BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan said that the government should be responsible while making such expenses especially when it is facing fund-related problems. He said that the government has completed 100 days yet they were finding it difficult to arrange for funds.
A DAPR official told Times of India that it was a convention that whenever a new government is formed they will approve purchase of the vehicles for a comfortable ride across the state.
The last vehicle was purchased during the tenure of former CM BS Yediyurappa in 2020.