A total of 622 government vehicles used by employees and officials in violation of existing laws have been returned to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM).
The OPMCM has initiated a process to recover government vehicles being used by employees and officials who are not legally entitled to such facilities, often based on influence or access.
According to the prime minister’s secretariat, 622 government vehicles have so far been recovered from various ministries, their subordinate agencies, and constitutional commissions.
The secretariat stated that only gazetted first class officers or higher-ranking officials are legally entitled to use government vehicles. However, it was found that even lower-level employees and officials had been widely using four-wheeler government vehicles.
The Prime Minister’s Office had earlier sought detailed information on vehicles being used by employees and officials across all government bodies.
Based on the data received, the OPMCM issued a circular on April 23, instructing all ministries, their subordinate bodies, and constitutional commissions to immediately return all vehicles being used by employees and officials not legally entitled to such facilities.
Following this directive, vehicles being used unlawfully have now been returned.
"Moving forward, no employee or official apart from those specified by law will be permitted the individual use of government vehicles. However, employees and officials of all levels may use government vehicles collectively for official duties or during difficult circumstances," the secretariat stated.
According to the secretariat, a detailed study is underway to also assess the financial burden caused to the government due to illegal use of government vehicles.
