The Odisha government has restricted the use of official vehicles for senior officers in view of the ongoing fuel and energy challenges due to the West Asia crisis. According to a memorandum by the finance department, only special secretaries are entitled to an independent vehicle for official purposes.
Officers promoted to the rank of additional secretary on or after June 1 are required to use official vehicles on a pool basis. However, those who have already been allotted an independent vehicle before May 31 are exempt from this rule.
The memorandum also states that officers in the rank of under secretary to joint secretary working in administrative departments may be provided with pool vehicles. At least two to three officers should share one pool vehicle, it said.
The instructions have been issued to conserve fuel and energy. The monthly deduction for the use of an official pool vehicle should be ₹1,680, irrespective of the officer's rank. While on official visits to distant locations within the state, officers should use buses or trains instead of official vehicles.
These instructions shall apply to all state government undertakings, autonomous institutions, universities, and societies across the state.
