Navi Mumbai: An activist based on RTI information has demanded the principal secretary of the urban development department to order recovery of the expenses from the NMMC authorities citing gross misuse of a total of 12 vehicles owned by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. These vehicles have long been used at the Mantralaya by various officers for private purposes. These vehicles are of various branded models. The list includes 4 directly owned and 8 hired vehicles. The 4 vehicles along with drivers include a jeep and three cars used in the UD department. Four different level officials are using these vehicles. He has also specified the vehicle registration numbers with information obtained from the NMMC through RTI.
The 8 hired vehicles include 7 MPVs used at the chief minister’s office and a car by a UD official. One of the hired vehicles deputed at the residence of the chief minister, one in the CM’s cavalcade, two by his personal assistants, three by officers on special duty and one by a deputy secretary of the UD department. Social activist Ravindra Sawant has claimed that the collective maintenance and fuel expenditure for vehicles used by four officers is about Rs 50 lakhs during the period of their use. These vehicles were used between 2019 and 2024 on various stretches by desk officer, under secretary, additional secretary, officer on special duty, among other rank officials. Sawant also mentions that the officers misuse their authority to use these vehicles. Purchase of some of the vehicles and expenditure made thereto was from the Navi Mumbai taxpayers’ money. These vehicles with drivers are used at the houses of officers, dropping their children at schools, among others.
Sawant alleged, “The officers are not eligible for government vehicles as per the rules. Without passing any resolution in the NMMC general body these vehicles were given for use at the Mantralay level. Why should the city residents bear the cost of those working at Mantralay?”
The reply of the principal secretary of the UD department is awaited.