Associated News Bureau

Speaker Directs Government to Notify New Car Policy Within 15 Days

Srinagar, September 30: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday directed the government to finalise and notify the new Car Policy within 15 days, taking note of the prolonged delay in framing the policy. The direction came after Transport Minister Satish Sharma presented a status report on the matter, stating that the department would undertake the necessary inter-departmental consultations and complete the formalities required for finalising the policy. The Speaker said the matter had remained pending for nearly five years despite its importance and called for its expeditious resolution. “The new Car Policy should be finalised and notified within 15 days. This matter should not be allowed to remain pending any further,” Rather said. He said complaints regarding the alleged misuse of public resources highlighted the need for clear and updated rules governing the entitlement and use of government vehicles. The Speaker observed that the use of multiple government vehicles beyond the prescribed entitlement could amount to misuse of public resources. He clarified, however, that the issue was not directed against government officers and that officials should be provided vehicles and other facilities to which they are legitimately entitled under the rules. Rather also questioned the repeated movement of the proposal between departments, including its referral to the Finance Department, despite the government having already accepted in principle the need for a new Car Policy. He stressed that the entitlements of government functionaries should be clearly defined under a comprehensive policy and directed that the process be completed without further delay. ANB