A controversy erupted in Odisha over the purchase of 51 Mahindra Thar SUVs by the state’s Forest Department. It is alleged that the department spent a staggering ₹7 crore on the purchase of these vehicles during the 2024-25 financial year, but records later revealed that an additional ₹5 crore was spent on modifications.
This brought the total expenditure on these vehicles to approximately ₹12 crore, a decision that has sparked controversy among the public and in political circles. The Odisha government has ordered an inquiry into the matter. According to official records, each Mahindra Thar SUV cost approximately ₹14 lakh. These vehicles were then fitted with various special equipment and modifications, including additional lights, cameras, sirens, special tires, and other accessories.
Following the revelation of this expenditure and widespread criticism, Odisha’s Minister of Forest and Environment, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, took cognizance of the matter and ordered a special audit. He instructed officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the purchase process and the expenditure on modifications. The minister stated that while some modifications might be necessary given the department’s work, any unnecessary or extravagant spending would not be tolerated.
He clarified that the purpose of the investigation is to determine why these modifications were made and whether they were truly essential for operational needs. He added that if any fittings are found to be unnecessary, excessive, or unauthorized, strict action will be taken against the concerned officials. The state government has also warned that stringent measures will be taken if any illegal or suspicious activity is uncovered during the audit.
Forest department officials have stated that these SUVs were purchased for essential work in the forests. These include controlling forest fires, deploying forest personnel in remote and border areas, protecting wildlife, and preventing illegal activities such as poaching and timber smuggling. The department has justified the modifications made to the vehicles, citing the challenging geographical conditions of the forests.
However, despite these arguments, questions remain regarding the need for such a large expenditure and whether the necessary approvals were obtained beforehand. The Odisha government has stated that accountability will be determined after the audit report is received, and further action will be taken based on its findings.
