This story is from June 30, 2018

A dozen opposition MLA in Punjab to get new vehicles

A dozen opposition MLA in Punjab to get new vehicles
Representtaive image
CHANDIGARH: Finally, around a dozen Opposition MLAs in Punjab would be rid of their worn-out and un-roadworthy official vehicles as the government has decided to allot them new SUVs. Most of these legislators are from the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP).
The state government is also going to change the escort vehicles provided to its 17 cabinet ministers.
Transport minister Aruna Chaudhary said, “I have had a meeting with the finance minister on the issue and the finance department has given its nod for purchasing around a dozen new Toyota Innovas.”
She said the transport department had received request from legislators that their vehicles were not roadworthy and had completed well over five lakh kilometers.
The minister said Toyota Innovas allotted to these MLAs were purchased in 2008.
Chaudhary said since the escort vehicles of cabinet ministers have also outlived their span, they were being replaced as well. “The chief minister has also given his approval to the jails minister request for providing vehicles to all jail superintendents,” she added.
Legislators are entitled to a base model of Toyota Innova and a maximum of 500 litres of diesel per month. Mansa AAP MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia told TOI, “The present state government does not consider AAP MLAs as legislators. I have been allotted 2008-model Toyota Innova which has covered over 4.91 lakh kilometers and breaks down every now and then.” Manshahia said though he had taken the official vehicle in August last year but till date his diesel bills amounting over Rs 3 lakh have not been reimbursed by the government.

Bathinda rural AAP MLA Rupinder Kaur Ruby said, “It has been over a year after I had requested the state government to change my vehicle as it had met with an accident. I had even requested the Punjab assembly speaker and secretary, Vidhan Sabha.”
The Mansa MLA said most of the AAP legislators who have the 2008-model vehicles have requested vehicle replacement. Apart from Manshahia and Ruby, other such AAP MLAs include Sunam MLA Aman Arora, Nihal Singhwala MLA Manjit Singh Bilaspur, Barnala MLA Gurmeet Singh Haher, Budhlada MLA Budh Ram, Mehal Kalan MLA Kulwant Singh Pandori, Bhadaur MLA Pirmal Singh and Jaito MLA Baldev Singh.
Pandori told TOI that whenever he had to visit Chandigarh, he travelled in a private car because of the fear of breaking down of the official vehicle. It is learnt that BJP legislator from Phagwara Som Parkash has also requested the authorities to change his worn-out vehicle.
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About the Author
Sanjeev Verma

Sanjeev Verma is Senior Assistant Editor in the Punjab Bureau of The Times of India. He writes on politics, security, public policy, finance, industries and commerce, rural development, legal affairs, defence services welfare and NRI affairs. He has earlier covered Haryana, as well as Punjab and Haryana High Court after an initial stint in Delhi.

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