Operational Vehicles : Used for which operation ?

One of our viewers asked this question of course with a request of anonymity.

Let’s have a quick look about the scheme and actual use of operational vehicles in Income Tax Department, perhaps the same in every other central department.

Operational vehicles have been introduced in this department for smooth departmental operation. Instead of buying new cars and bearing responsibility of recruiting staff car drivers, hired cars without any recurring liability had been preferred by Govt. Each vehicle is being taken on rent at the cost of Rs 40,000/- plus service tax as applicable (including the cost of driver). Each and every CIT charge is allotted 2 to 4 operational vehicles. The fund is diverted from the 1% incentive scheme. The question is what purpose the cars actually serve. It is being used for private purposes of the officers of the department. It is mostly used to carry the officers (who are not entitled to get the facility) from their residence to office and back. It is also being used for other necessary operations like bringing their children to school / college, shopping for the family members and to meet other important household obligations. Those officers using the car are also enjoying Transport Allowance as per rules (not less than Rs 6400/- p.m. including D.A. thereon). It is rarely seen that any employee of the department have been allowed to do any official outdoor duty with these vehicles.

It is not surprising that IRS Association and ITGOA had never said anything on records against this practice as their members are the beneficiary of this privilege. But ITEF leaders who do not get this facility widely are also mum on this issue for some unknown reason. Solidarity for their elder brothers of ITGOA may be a possible reason.

When the Government is on austerity measure and cutting non plan expenditures, will somebody look into this drainage of money for gain of a handful of officers?