Odisha's Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department has purchased 51 new vehicles for approximately ₹12 crore for forest department work. There is intense uproar over the Odisha Forest Department's expenditure in the 2024-25 financial year. Following this incident an allegations of massive spending on vehicle purchases have emerged. According to an Indian Express report, the department is under scrutiny after financial irregularities were detected in the procurement process. The state government has ordered a special audit.
It has been learned that the Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department purchased 51 Thar SUVs for ₹7 crore for various tasks including wildlife surveillance, patrolling in remote forest areas, and preventing poachers. Not only that, according to records, an additional ₹5 crore was spent on modifying these vehicles. As soon as this information came to light, widespread uproar ensued.
In this regard, Forest and Environment Minister Ganeshram Singh Khuntia ordered a thorough examination of this expenditure on vehicle purchases. However, according to him, some modifications may be necessary for departmental operations, but excessive spending will not be tolerated. Clarifying the purpose of the investigation, the minister said that additional lights, cameras, sirens, special tyres and other equipment were installed in the vehicles to meet requirements. It will be examined why these modifications were made and whether they are truly necessary for operations. However, if any items are proven to be unnecessary, excessive or unauthorised, strict action will be taken. Questions are being raised about whether the department had taken prior government approval, which is required for such massive expenditure.
Officials have clarified that those modern features in the vehicles are necessary for protecting wildlife in deep forests or remote areas. It has been learned that 21 additional items were used in the vehicle modernisation. For instance, metal bumpers were installed on the front and sides of the vehicles. It is claimed that special steel wheels were installed instead of the Thar's regular wheels to make them suitable for navigating rough terrain in remote areas.
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A senior state government official said that the audit will examine whether proper procedures were followed when approving customisation costs and whether consent was obtained from the finance department. It will also examine whether the items installed in the modernisation were necessary and whether any external agency was involved in this process. If anyone is found guilty, action will be taken according to the rules.
