It seems that the Punjab government’s much-trumpeted austerity drive is merely on papers as after sanctioning the purchase of 46 luxury cars for the provincial ministers and advisers last year, now it has given a green signal to the purchase of 58 cars for the government officials, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

Last year, the Punjab government had approved over Rs210 million for buying new cars for the ministers as well as the advisors. 

Now sources have told 24News that the provincial government has okayed the purchase of 36 and 22 vehicles for the Central District Development Authority (CDDA) and Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) officials, respectively. 

The documents, which 24News has managed to obtain, tell that these vehicles include five double cabin 4/4 vans, 29 corolla cars of 1,800 cc, over 10 cars of 1,000 cc.     

However, officials of the Punjab Housing Department have said that not the Punjab government but both these Authorities themselves would bear the expenditures to be incurred on the purchase of these cars.

Reporter Ali Ramay