At a time when the country is grappling with an ongoing financial crisis and a newly sworn-in interim government is seeking budgetary support from international partners, the extravagant spending on sport utility vehicles (SUVs) for deputy commissioners (DCs) and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) shows no sign of slowing.
A total of 200 luxurious Mitsubishi Pajero Sport QX SUVs will be purchased at a cost of around Tk 339 crore, with 168 vehicles allocated for UNOs and the remaining 32 for DCs, according to sources in the Ministry of Public Administration.
A letter signed by Transport Commissioner at the Department of Government Transport Md Abul Hasanath Humayun Kabir, obtained by The Business Post, outlines the procurement process. The SUVs will be acquired from the state-owned Pragoti Industries Limited, with each vehicle priced at Tk 1.69 crore (Tk 1,69,35,000).
It has been found that the same model of Mitsubishi Pajero Sports QX was previously bought in 2021 for Tk 90.31 lakh per unit. In 2023, the price had increased to Tk 1.45 crore per vehicle, reflecting a hike of Tk 54,69,000 within two years.
The new procurement process this year indicates a further price increase. The current price is Tk 24,35,000 higher than in 2023 and Tk 79,04,000 more than in 2021, raising concerns over-inflated costs amid the country’s financial struggles.
Shifting justifications
The ousted Awami League government had previously justified the purchase of vehicles in 2023, citing the need to increase the mobility of DCs and UNOs ahead of the national elections in 2024.
Government officials argued that without high-quality vehicles, their efficiency would decline, as they would be heavily involved in overseeing mobile courts, maintaining law and order, and handling various election-related tasks.
Thus, they claimed that new SUVs were essential for these officials.
This time, however, the justification for purchasing new vehicles centres on maintaining administrative momentum. The Ministry of Public Administration has argued that DCs and UNOs require new vehicles to manage mobile courts, ensure law and order, and maintain smooth transportation services.
Aging fleet and rank disparity
According to the Ministry of Finance, since the fiscal year 2006-07, the Department of Government Transport has been providing high-quality vehicles for UNOs to use in official and administrative tasks. However, the current fleet has reached the end of its service life, leading to slower administrative operations due to frequent repairs.
The vehicles currently provided to UNOs are of the same standard as those used by additional secretaries. However, UNOs hold the rank of assistant secretary or senior assistant secretary, which is a significantly lower position, as UNOs are in the sixth grade, while additional secretaries are in the second grade.
Sources revealed that the Ministry of Finance had initially proposed purchasing vehicles for UNOs priced at Tk 56,87,000 each, but the Ministry of Public Administration did not approve this plan.
Replacement required
The letter from the Ministry of Public Administration stated that there are currently 495 jeeps available for 495 UNOs across the country. Of these, 461 vehicles have exceeded their 14-year service life during the current fiscal year 2024-25.
Among these vehicles, 197 were already allocated for replacement in the fiscal year 2023-24. The remaining 200 vehicles are deemed necessary to maintain the administrative efficiency of district and upazila administrations, particularly for operating mobile courts, maintaining law and order, and ensuring smooth transportation services.
Sources from the Ministry of Public Administration revealed that, although the number of vehicles exceeding their 14-year service life currently stands at 461, in the fiscal year 2023-24, this figure was 365.
Approval sought
According to a Ministry of Finance circular, expenditure for replacing vehicles more than 10 years old can be covered with approval from the Finance Division.
In this context, the ministry has requested approval from the Expenditure Management Department of the Finance Division to procure 200 SUVs from state-owned Pragoti Industries Limited under the Direct Procurement Method (DPM), in accordance with Rules 75 and 76 of PPR-2008. This is seen as essential to maintaining administrative momentum in district and upazila offices.
The vehicles will be Mitsubishi Pajero Sport QX (2,477 cc), each priced at Tk 1,69,35,000, including taxes, VAT, and registration fees. The total cost for purchasing the 200 SUVs is estimated at Tk 3,38,70,00,000.
