Odisha's Forest Department spent nearly Rs 12 crore on 51 Mahindra Thar SUVs for wildlife protection, sparking a special audit over alleged irregularities—this case highlights governance lapses relevant for OPSC aspirants.
Core Facts
Procurement occurred in November 2024 under PCCF (Wildlife), with Rs 7.1 crore for base vehicles (Rs 14 lakh each) and Rs 5 crore on modifications like metal bumpers, oversized tires, LED lights, cameras, and sirens—totaling Rs 12.02-12.35 crore.Vehicles support anti-poaching, fire-fighting, patrolling in reserves like Similipal and Satkosia, and tourism safaris across 22 divisions.
Exam Relevance
For OPSC GS Paper II (Polity/Governance) and GS III (Environment/Economy), this exemplifies public procurement norms under GFR 2017, CAG audits, and accountability via Article 266 (Consolidated Fund). Questions may test vigilance mechanisms like CVC/CAG roles or misuse of wildlife funds under Project Tiger.
Key Issues
Allegations include overpricing (mods nearly equaling base cost), lack of prior Finance Department nod, and 21 unapproved add-ons per vehicle, raised by BJD MLA Arun Sahoo in March 2025 Assembly.Critics question necessity amid rugged terrain justifications, labeling it "luxury fleet" versus operational need.
OPSC Prelims MCQ
1. Which statutory body has been directed to conduct a special audit into the Odisha Forest Department's procurement and customization of 51 Mahindra Thar vehicles costing Rs 12 crore?
- A) Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
- B) Accountant General (A&E), Odisha
- C) Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
- D) Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)
Answer: B
Explanation: The Odisha government ordered a special audit by the Accountant General (A&E), Odisha's special audit team, focusing on PCCF (Wildlife) office processes for 2024-25 vehicle procurement. AG Odisha, under CAG framework, handles state-level compliance audits per GFR 2017.
2. Under which constitutional provision does the Accountant General (A&E), Odisha, derive authority for auditing state government expenditures like the Forest Department's Thar vehicle purchase? [1][4]
- A) Article 280 (Finance Commission)
- B) Article 148 (CAG)
- C) Article 243 (Panchayats)
- D) Article 266 (Consolidated Fund)
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 148 establishes CAG as the statutory auditor of Union/State accounts; AG Odisha acts as its field office for local audits, including special probes into procurement irregularities as seen in this Rs 12 crore case.
OPSC Mains Question with Model Answer
Question (GS Paper II - Polity & Governance, 15 marks):
Discuss the role of the Accountant General (A&E), Odisha, as a statutory body in ensuring fiscal accountability in state government departments. Illustrate with the recent special audit ordered into the Odisha Forest Department's procurement of customized Mahindra Thar vehicles. (150 words)
Model Answer:
The Accountant General (A&E), Odisha, a field office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) under Article 148, serves as a constitutional statutory body auditing state receipts, expenditures, and compliance with GFR 2017. It conducts performance, compliance, and special audits to uphold fiscal propriety, exposing irregularities for legislative oversight.
In the Rs 12 crore Thar controversy, Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia directed AG (A&E)'s special team on December 18, 2025, to probe PCCF (Wildlife)'s Rs 7.14 crore purchase and Rs 5.25 crore modifications (bumpers, tires, cameras) for 51 vehicles deployed in Similipal etc. This highlights AG's role in verifying approvals, market rates, and necessity amid MLA-raised overpricing allegations.
Such audits reinforce transparency (RTI 2005 linkage), deter misuse of wildlife funds, and aid Assembly scrutiny—vital for Odisha's governance. (148 words)