Govt agencies can now buy up to Tk1.45 crore cars
Expenditure limits for the vehicles have been revised considering the market rates, according to a Finance Division circular published Monday (31 July).
The Finance Division has increased the expenditure limit on vehicle purchase by various ministries, departments, directorates and inspectorates of the government.
The expenditure limits of the vehicles– jeep, pick-up trucks (single and double cabin), microbus, motorcycle, ambulance, coaster or minibus (AC), minibus (non-AC) and trucks– have been revised considering the market rates, according to a Finance Division circular published Monday.
The revision will allow government bodies to buy pricier cars and increase government expenditure at the same time.
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The rise in car prices in the global market and the depreciation of the taka against the dollar has made it impossible to buy cars at the previous rates fixed earlier, officials of the Finance Division said.
Government agencies can now spend a maximum of Tk45 lakh - including registration, VAT and taxes- to buy a car below 1600 cc, according to the Finance Division circular. Besides, Tk1.45 crore can be spent to buy a jeep under 2700 cc.
Such cars and jeeps are bought for grade-1 and grade-2 level (senior secretary and secretary rank) officials.
Meanwhile, Tk65 lakh can be spent to purchase a jeep with maximum 2000 cc can be purchased for a grade-3 level (additional secretary) officials.
Until now, a maximum of Tk35 lakh could be spent on cars, Tk94 lakhs on 2700 cc jeeps and Tk57 lakhs on 2000 cc jeeps.
As per the revised expenditure limit, Tk28 lakh to Tk38 lakh can be spent to buy a single cabin pick-up truck with maximum 2500 cc while a double cabin pick-up of the same CC can be purchased by spending Tk49-55 lakh.
The expenditure limit for a 2700 cc microbus has been increased from Tk44 lakh to Tk52 lakh. For ambulances with the same cc, purchase price has been increased from Tk44 lakh to Tk54 lakh.
The Finance Division's latest move contradicts an earlier circular that stated that the expenditure of funds allotted for the purchase of vehicles under the management and development budget will be halted in the ongoing fiscal year.
However, in another circular published in the early days of the current FY, the Finance Division said the fund can be used for replacing motor vehicles older than 10 years with the approval of the Finance Division.
Officials at different levels of government including the upazila administration and the district administration get cars for official and personal use. Besides, government agencies also purchase various types of vehicles for different projects.
