Provinces’ demand for vehicles is increasing, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has said.

The provincial governments seek more vehicles for advisors, and officials representing different committees and opposition party leaders.

According to the PMO, it has procured around 22 vehicles for each province. 

It means around 150 vehicles for seven provincial governments.

“We are getting demands for more vehicles in the range of 35-40 from each province due to demand for vehicles for advisors, different committees formed by the provincial governments and opposition party leaders,” said PMO Secretary Prem Kumar Rai.

Based on the basic requirement of vehicles, the PMO had estimated around 200 vehicles would be required for the provinces with each province requiring 25-30 vehicles. 

Estimates for vehicles was based on requirements for top officials including chief minister, speaker and deputy speaker, provincial chiefs, chief secretaries and 

secretaries.

Last month, the Home Ministry marked 90 vehicles for the provinces after the PMO instructed it.

The Home Ministry had also instructed the Chief District Officers within each province to arrange vehicles from the offices wherever it is possible. The PMO had told the chief secretaries of each provincial government to arrange the vehicles from the offices that would be soon disbanded.

“More vehicles have been arranged for the provincial governments after we arranged 90 for them,” said Yadu Nath Poudel, under secretary at the Home Ministry. “We do not have details about arrangement of additional vehicles from the CDOs and chief secretaries of the provincial governments.”

He said that they received complaints from the provincial government officials that the vehicles arranged for them were old.  Officials said new vehicles could be made available only if they are purchased. 

The central government has yet not considered purchasing new vehicles for the provincial governments as the Finance Ministry has made it clear that it is difficult to facilitate resources for the operation of new structures in the provinces.