Jammu and Kashmir: The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a budget of Rs 3.04 crore from the 2024-25 Capex Budget to purchase eight Toyota Fortuner vehicles for the official use of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The order, issued by the Transport Department, specifies that four of the SUVs will be stationed in Delhi, two in Jammu, and two in Srinagar to be used for official purposes.
This move has sparked a political controversy, with former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu strongly criticizing the decision. On X (formerly Twitter), Mattu mocked the purchase, referring to Abdullah as the “Hon’ble Duke of Essex” and taking a sarcastic jab at the fleet’s growing size, suggesting that a Range Rover Defender had also been added to Abdullah’s personal collection. He wrote, “EIGHT new Toyota Fortuners for the Hon’ble Duke of Essex AND apparently a brand new personal Range Rover Defender. The only thing missing in the fleet is a plane and a yacht over Dal Lake now. J&K’s status was downgraded. Not of the Abdullah Monarchy. Long live the King!”
The government order clearly states that the funds are to be allocated exclusively for the purchase of the eight vehicles, and the expenditure records are to be submitted by March 31, 2025, to ensure financial accountability. The government has also assured that no new posts for drivers will be created, with existing staff to manage the vehicles. Additionally, the Transport Department has been instructed to closely monitor the funds to prevent misuse.
This decision comes shortly after Omar Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) secured the largest bloc in the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, winning 42 seats. Abdullah himself won two constituencies, Budgam and Ganderbal, while the BJP claimed 29 seats. Critics, however, question the appropriateness of spending such a large sum on luxury vehicles at a time when the region faces multiple socio-economic challenges.
