“One Officer, One Official Car” Policy
The Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance has issued guidelines under the “One Entitled Officer, One Official Car” policy to prevent the misuse of government vehicles and ensure efficient utilisation of public resources.
The directive aims to reduce unnecessary expenditure on fuel, maintenance and vehicle procurement by preventing multiple allocations of official cars to senior government officers holding additional responsibilities across different departments or organisations.
About the “One Entitled Officer, One Official Car” Policy
The policy establishes the principle that an officer entitled to a government staff car should be provided with only one official vehicle, irrespective of whether the officer holds additional charges in other ministries, departments, PSUs or autonomous bodies.
The move is aimed at promoting financial discipline, transparency and responsible management of government assets.
Key Guidelines of the Policy
Single Vehicle Entitlement
- An eligible officer cannot be allotted a second government vehicle even if they are assigned additional responsibilities in:
- Another ministry
- Government department
- Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
- Autonomous organisation
- Additional charges will not create additional entitlement for official vehicles.
Restriction on PSU and Autonomous Body Vehicles
- Government officials are prohibited from keeping vehicles belonging to PSUs or autonomous bodies for their personal or regular use.
- Such vehicles can only be used when the officer is travelling on:
- Official tours
- Authorised government duties
This prevents duplication of facilities and ensures proper utilisation of institutional resources.
Management of Unused Government Vehicles
- Departments are required to maintain proper custody of surplus or unused government vehicles.
- Idle vehicles must be stored securely to prevent:
- Unauthorised use
- Misuse of public property
- Unnecessary maintenance expenditure
Governance and Administrative Impact
Reduction in Public Expenditure
The policy will help reduce avoidable government spending on:
- Fuel expenses
- Vehicle maintenance
- Driver deployment
- Procurement and replacement of additional vehicles
Promoting Transparency and Accountability
By clearly defining vehicle entitlement, the policy improves accountability in the management of government assets.
It ensures that public resources are used strictly for official purposes rather than personal convenience.
Efficient Resource Utilisation
The directive encourages departments to optimise existing resources instead of creating multiple vehicle arrangements for senior officials.
Significance of the Policy
- Strengthens the principles of minimum government and maximum governance.
- Promotes fiscal prudence and responsible use of taxpayers’ money.
- Reduces discretionary use of government facilities.
- Enhances public trust by ensuring fairness and transparency in administrative practices.
FAQ: “One Officer, One Official Car” Policy
What is the “One Officer, One Official Car” policy?
The “One Officer, One Official Car” policy is a government directive issued by the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance to ensure that an entitled officer receives only one official vehicle, even while holding additional responsibilities.
Why was the One Officer, One Official Car policy introduced?
The policy was introduced to prevent misuse of government vehicles, reduce unnecessary expenditure on fuel and maintenance, and ensure efficient utilisation of public resources.
Can an officer get multiple government vehicles if they hold additional charges?
No. Under the policy, holding additional responsibilities in another ministry, department, PSU, or autonomous organisation does not create entitlement for an additional official vehicle.
Can government vehicles from PSUs or autonomous bodies be used by officers for personal purposes?
No. Officers cannot keep vehicles belonging to PSUs or autonomous bodies for regular personal use. Such vehicles can only be used for authorised official duties or official tours.
How does the policy promote good governance?
The policy promotes fiscal discipline, transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public assets by reducing unnecessary expenditure and preventing misuse of government facilities.
