Minister sheds excess baggage

Mos Agriculture KV Thomas returns four out of seven cars belonging to Central PSUS after MiD DAY report. Says vehicles were being used by his personal staff, not himHis boss has been embroiled in the IPL controversy. So he must have thought it would be wise for him to steer clear of bad press.Acting promptly on a MiD DAY report dated June 1 ('This minister has seven cars') Union Minister of State for Agriculture KV Thomas has returned four vehicles that were being used in his name. The deputy of Sharad Pawar was using seven cars that belonged to central public sector enterprises (CPSEs).Enough is enough: MoS Agriculture has ordered an inquiry into the extra vehicles issued in his nameThis was exposed through a series of right to information pleas to the central PSEs. The vehicles were being used in violation of the rules set by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) according to which no minister can use the infrastructure of CPSEs under his/her ministry. Among the cars returned are two belonging to Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Department of Consumer affairs and two, including a taxi, of Food Corporation of India. The RTIs were filed with Department of Consumer Affairs, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture Cooperation, Central Warehousing Corporation and Food Corporation of India. At least three cars of the total seven, being used by the MoS Agriculture, belong to the CPSEs.Thomas had three ambassador cars, of which two belonged to the Food Corporation of India and one to Central Warehousing Corporation. Apart from three cars belonging to the CPSEs, Thomas has four vehicles belonging to Department of Agriculture, Food, Consumer Affairs and Indian Council for Agricultural Research. The Other Side I am still clueless how so many cars were issued in my name. I don't get time to manage everything. All these issues are looked after by my private secretary. After the matter was brought to my attention, I told my private secretary to conduct a proper enquiry. Some of the cars have already been returned.-u00a0Prof KV Thomas, Minister of State for AgricultureMost of the cars issued in the name of the minister were being used by different staff members. However, none of them were entitled to use them, a ministry official said, requesting anonymity. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions had sent a memorandum to all union ministries on February 22 stating that officials of the central government cannot access the infrastructure or facilities owned by the central public sector enterprises.The gag order from the DoPT had also asked ministries/departments to return any manpower or other facilities owned by the CPSEs already being availed by the ministries concerned at the earliest and definitely before March 31, 2010. What the rule book says The use of staff cars is not permissible for journeys to places of entertainment, public amusements, parties, pleasure trips etc. Journeys for purpose of shopping or taking children to schools would also fall in the prohibited category. The use of staff cars for such purpose, even on payment, is not envisaged. The rules contemplate certain situations in which staff cars may be used on non-duty purposes but on payment, provided official requirements are not interfered with in any way, for instance, occasional journeys performed by officers from their residence to offices and vice versa and urgent visits to hospitals.