Srinagar: The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, has taken serious note of the delay in finalisation and implementation of the proposed Government Vehicle Management Policy, 2026, and directed the Government to place a clear and definite timeline before the House during the ongoing Session.
The matter came up during the Question Hour in response to a question regarding “One Officer- One Vehicle” raised by MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania.
Replying to the question, Minister for Transport, Satish Sharma, informed the House that the Government, through the General Administration Department, had constituted a Committee to examine the existing Car/Vehicle Policy and make recommendations for its revision.
The Minister further informed the House that, pursuant to the Committee’s deliberations, a draft Government Vehicle Management Policy, 2026 has been framed and is presently under consideration in the Department.
Taking note of the delay in finalising and implementing the policy, Speaker, observed that the matter requires expeditious consideration. The Speaker directed the Minister to apprise the House, within the ongoing Session, of the definite timeline for finalisation and implementation of the Government Vehicle Management Policy, 2026.
Pulling up the concerned minister Satish Sharma over the use of multiple government vehicles by officers holding additional departmental charges, Speaker questioned the justification for maintaining separate vehicles for different departments.
“Many officers have more than one vehicle because they have more than one department,” Rather said, questioning why an officer holding an additional charge should have to use a separate vehicle belonging to that department.
When Sharma described the arrangement as a legacy issue, the Speaker questioned the justification for continuing a practice merely because it had existed for years.
“If the legacy issue is wrong, will you follow that?” Rather asked.
Sharma responded that the government would address the issue and correct the practice.
Rather directed the minister to come before the House with the details during the ongoing session.
“You will have to come to us in front of this House,” the Speaker told Sharma, adding that the matter concerned the use of public resources.
Rather said the issue was particularly important given the financial constraints faced by the government.
“It is a matter of resources. This poor department cannot afford luxuries,” he said.
The Speaker also objected to the use of several vehicles by officers and their staff when a single vehicle could potentially serve the purpose.
Sharma also assured the Speaker that he would study the matter and provide complete information during the ongoing session.
The Speaker emphasised that the Government should provide a clear position before the House so that the Members are duly apprised of the timeline envisaged for giving effect to the policy.
