The Maharashtra government has approved Rs 12.68 crore for the procurement of 44 new vehicles for visiting dignitaries and VIPs, including a bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser costing more than Rs 4 crore. The decision comes as the state faces drought-like conditions across 265 talukas and prepares relief measures for affected farmers and rural communities.
According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Protocol Department, the new fleet will replace ageing vehicles and ensure transport and security arrangements for visiting dignitaries. The protocol branch manages transport for the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Governors, visiting Chief Ministers, Supreme Court and High Court judges, and other senior guests.
The approved fleet comprises one bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser priced at Rs 4,07,68,000, two Toyota Fortuners at Rs 30 lakh each, one Urbania bus costing Rs 31 lakh, 32 Toyota Innova Crystas priced at Rs 20,71,453 each, seven Maruti Ertigas at Rs 11,59,100 each, and one towing vehicle at government-approved rates.
The total procurement cost has been capped at Rs 12,68,64,342. The vehicles will be procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal on a single-source basis, in accordance with applicable state financial and procurement rules.
Funds will be disbursed through the Government Transport Service (GTS), Mumbai, and the protocol wings of district collectorates to complete the fleet upgrade.
The approval comes as Maharashtra seeks central financial assistance to address drought-like conditions affecting 265 talukas. The state government has announced a 12-point relief and concessions package for farmers, agricultural labourers and affected rural populations, while conducting assessments, or panchnamas, to determine the extent of losses before deciding on further financial assistance.
The announced measures include a complete waiver of land revenue for affected farmers, restructuring of existing agricultural loans and an immediate stay on recovery of agriculture-related bank loans. The government has also announced electricity bill concessions for agricultural pumps above 7.5 HP, with waivers already applicable to pumps up to that capacity.
Other measures include waiving examination fees for students in affected areas, relaxing work norms under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to generate employment, and deploying water tankers wherever drinking water shortages arise.
The package also includes restrictions on disconnecting power supplies to agricultural pumps in declared scarcity villages, targeted foodgrain distribution, ensuring adequate cattle fodder, launching water conservation works and planning drinking water and livestock water supplies.
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