Government begins crackdown on misuse of official vehicles

April 28, Kathmandu: The government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has initiated a major step to curb long-standing misuse of state resources and improve administrative discipline.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has begun reclaiming government vehicles that were being used by officials without legal entitlement. So far, 622 vehicles have been taken back from various ministries, their subordinate bodies, and constitutional commissions.

A preliminary investigation by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat found that, despite legal provisions allowing only gazetted first-class officers and above to use official vehicles, many lower-level employees and officials were widely using four-wheeled government vehicles.

Following the findings, all government bodies were asked to submit detailed records of vehicle use. Based on the data, a circular has instructed all ministries, agencies, and constitutional bodies to immediately return vehicles being used in violation of the law.

The government has now made it clear that no employee or official outside the legally defined category will be allowed individual use of government vehicles. However, vehicles may still be used on a shared basis when required for official duties or in special circumstances.

Authorities are also conducting a detailed study to assess the financial burden caused by the misuse of government vehicles. The move comes amid rising global petroleum prices and the country’s economic constraints, with the aim of reducing spending on fuel, maintenance, and related facilities.

The government says this campaign to cut unnecessary expenditure and enforce administrative discipline is expected to strengthen good governance.