BENGALURU: The Assembly Secretariat spent more than Rs 77.14 lakh on the repair of new vehicles within a year of their purchase, it has come to light.
According to RTI documents available with Express, in 2009-10 and 2011-12, the government bought 85 vehicles — Ambassadors, Innovas, Swift Dzires and Toyota Fortuners — for Rs 7.17 crore, and spent an additional 10 per cent on repairs in the first year. The petitioner requested anonymity for this story.
BJP leader Jagadish Shettar was the Assembly Speaker then, and approved the purchases and service bills. However, Shettar told Express he was not aware of the payments as such files are sent to the maintenance department.
The cars are being used by ministers and legislators of all parties represented in the Assembly. Intriguingly, the secretariat spent Rs 77.14 lakh on repairing cars covered under warranty and free service.
Omprakash, Assembly Secretary, said, “The charges include servicing. Even service charges go under the head of repair.” Only certain vehicles come with free service, he claimed. “Our vehicles go out of the city often, and on all kinds of roads. This is another reason for the extra expenditure on services and repair,” Omprakash said.
Kishore B M, an automobile professional associated with the four-wheeler business, said, “It is unusual to spend so much on repairs in the first year.” All new vehicles come with at least four free services, he said.