Centre Introduces 'One Officer, One Official Car' Policy to Curb Misuse of Government Vehicles

The Central Government has introduced a new 'One Officer, One Official Car' policy to prevent the misuse of government vehicles and ensure more efficient use of public resources. Under the revised guidelines, officers who are already entitled to an official vehicle will no longer be allotted a second government car if they are given additional responsibilities in another ministry, department, public sector undertaking (PSU), or autonomous body.

The decision comes through an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance, directing all central ministries and departments to strictly implement the updated rules governing the use of government staff cars. The move reinforces the comprehensive guidelines first issued in September 2022.

According to the new policy, an officer holding multiple assignments must continue using the official vehicle already assigned to them, rather than receiving an additional government car. The government has also clarified that central government officers cannot use vehicles belonging to PSUs, autonomous bodies, or semi-government organisations, except when such vehicles are provided for official tours or government-related work in accordance with existing rules.

The guidelines further instruct ministries and departments to ensure that surplus or currently unused government vehicles are kept securely and are not used for any unauthorised or non-official purposes.

The Department of Expenditure said the revised measures are aimed at improving administrative efficiency, preventing misuse of government assets, and reducing unnecessary expenditure on official transport. Officials believe the 'One Entitled Officer, One Official Car' principle will promote better management of government vehicle fleets while strengthening financial discipline across ministries and departments.

The latest directive reiterates and reinforces the master guidelines issued on September 1, 2022, following a comprehensive review of the rules governing staff car usage in central government offices.

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