Central Govt orders 'One Officer, One Official Car' rule to curb misuse

The Central Government has tightened the rules governing the use of official vehicles by officers, stating an officer entitled to a govt staff car cannot be allotted more than one official vehicle, even when they hold additional charge of another ministry, department, public sector undertaking, or autonomous body. In addition, it has barred officers entitled from using vehicles belonging to PSUs and autonomous bodies, except when they are on official tour. In an official circular issued to all ministries and departments, the department of expenditure, sought "strict compliance" to optimise vehicle utilisation and "prevent misuse of govt vehicles". It has asked all govt departments to keep unutilised vehicles in safe custody. The circular, was termed by officials as 'one officer, one official car'. The circular reinforces guidelines issued in Sept 2022, which specified that officers entitled can use official cars for personal travel (up to 500 km/month) by paying a fee of Rs 3,000 per month and giving up their standard monthly transport allowance.

The memorandum also prohibits central government officers from using vehicles belonging to PSUs, autonomous bodies or quasi-government organisations, except while travelling on official duty or during authorised tours. Ministries have been instructed to ensure that surplus or unused vehicles are kept in safe custody instead of being put into unofficial use.