Anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal to buy BMWs worth Rs 70L each
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New Delhi: India’s anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal, wanted seven high-end BMW 330 Li (Long Wheel Base) luxury cars and has floated a public tender. According to reports, each unit of the cars is worth around Rs 70 lakhs and the total expenditure on them is expected to exceed Rs 5 crore.
A notification dated October 16 states, "The Lokpal of India invites open tenders from reputed Agencies for supply of seven BMW 3 Series Li Cars to the Lokpal of India."
India Today reported that the tender process is open for public bidding. The tender document invites interested parties to turn in their bids, and the evaluation process will begin on November 7.
The tender notice says that the offers will remain valid for 90 days from the date of opening.
According to the India Today report, once the cars are delivered, BMW will provide training of at least seven days to the Lokpal’s drivers and staff. This training will be about vehicle systems in detail and instructing the Lokpal employees on the proper operation of cars.
The tender notice has created widespread objection from multiple quarters. Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan accused the Central government of having "ground to dust the Lokpal "by appointing servile members who are not bothered by graft and are happy with their luxuries. They are now buying 70L BMW cars for themselves!", NDTV reported.
Congress slammed, "The institution of Lokpal, once a symbol of accountability, lies in ruins... Why is the government buying luxury foreign cars for a body that is missing key appointments?"