Austerity stops at top as NMC office-bearers continue using official vehicles

Nagpur: Most political office-bearers continue using official vehicles despite the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) austerity drive and expenditure cuts, raising questions over the selective implementation of cost-cutting measures within the civic body.Mayor Neeta Thakre has directed the administration to enforce strict fuel-saving measures. However, sources said 10 subject committee chairpersons and sabhapatis of all 10 zones continue to use civic vehicles despite repeated calls for austerity.Under existing rules, only the transport committee chairperson and the weaker sections committee chairperson are entitled to dedicated official vehicles. Despite this, the administration allotted vehicles to other subject committee chairpersons as well.Though the issue has been discussed informally within NMC's political circles, no decision has been taken on withdrawing or rationalising these allocations.Meanwhile, civic officials and employees are being encouraged to use public transport and electric vehicles, avoid official or private vehicles once or twice a week, follow an odd-even usage system, carpool, and reduce unnecessary convoys during official tours.Standing committee chairperson Shivani Dani Wakhare has surrendered her official vehicle and begun commuting by public transport, while ruling party leader Narendra Borkar has shifted to a two-wheeler instead of an official car.Beyond these exceptions, however, most political office-bearers continue to retain official vehicles.The continued use of official vehicles by zonal sabhapatis has added to the civic body's fuel and maintenance burden at a time when the state government is emphasising financial discipline and curbs on non-essential expenditure.