East mayor ‘surrenders’ his official car, driver

New Delhi: A month after taking charge, East Delhi Mayor Bipin Bihari Singh on Friday said he has “surrendered” the official car and driver facility provided by the cash-strapped civic body to him and pledged that the saved amount be used for public welfare.

Incidentally, Mr Singh made the announcement at a press conference held at the Mayor Office of the EDMC headquarters, coinciding with the World Environment Day.

The mayor said he was surrendering the travel facility “with effect from today till the end of his tenure”. “The annual expenditure came to Rs29 lakh on car including, Rs 17 lakh on salaries of two drivers and Rs 12 lakh on fuel and other maintenance charges of the vehicle,” he said.

“I am going to use a private car and private driver, henceforth. The reduction in expenses will help in saving overall expenditure of the EDMC,” Mr Singh told reporters.

He said the decision was taken in view of the poor condition of the civic body which has been running losses for the last several years. he urged that other officials of the corporation should also give up the government vehicle and driver facility provided to them, if they can manage on their own.