SRINAGAR, September 30, 2026 – Expressing serious concern over the prolonged delay and potential misuse of public resources, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has directed the government to finalize and officially notify the new Government Vehicle Management Policy within a strict 15-day deadline. The firm directive was issued on Wednesday during the ongoing Autumn Session of the Assembly, following a heated discussion regarding the implementation of the “One Officer, One Vehicle” policy.
The issue took center stage when Transport Minister Satish Sharma presented a status report to the House. According to the report, the government’s existing vehicle policy, which prescribes vehicle entitlements and price ceilings for Cabinet Ministers and other functionaries, was last notified in 2015. Minister Sharma assured the Assembly that the transport department would immediately undertake the necessary inter-departmental consultations and complete all requisite formalities to finalize the new policy. However, Speaker Rather questioned why it had taken nearly five years for the administration to act on revising the framework. Emphasizing that the matter involves the extensive use of public funds and assets, Rather stated, “The new Car Policy should be finalized and notified within 15 days. This matter should not be allowed to remain pending any further.”
The debate also triggered a sharp exchange among the legislators, highlighting the alleged rampant misuse of government transport. BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia added fuel to the discussion by openly alleging that a specific government officer was concurrently using as many as four official vehicles, far exceeding any prescribed entitlement. The Speaker warned that the unauthorized use of multiple official vehicles by bureaucrats and officers beyond their designated quotas must be curbed immediately, adding that the entitlement of all government functionaries must be clearly and comprehensively defined under the upcoming policy without any further delays.
Published by True Roots Media Network