Odisha Govt Increases Vehicle Allowances for Ministers and Officials
The Odisha government has revised the monthly vehicle expense allowances for Ministers and government officials across all administrative levels, marking the first such update in six years. The Finance Department issued a notification on Wednesday formalizing the hike, aimed at offsetting rising transportation and operational costs in public administration.
Under the revised framework, state Ministers will now receive ₹50,400 per month as vehicle allowance. Key district officials such as District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police (SPs) will be eligible for ₹44,400 monthly. Similarly, government functionaries posted at the Block, Tehsil, and Field Office levels will now be entitled to ₹37,200.
Principal Secretaries will receive ₹36,000, while the revised allowance for Special Secretaries stands at ₹31,200 per month. The changes come amid concerns over outdated vehicle expenditure ceilings, which had not been updated since the last revision in 2019.
The revised policy also includes increased allowances for the hiring of private vehicles for official use by Ministers, senior bureaucrats, and VVIPs. This is expected to facilitate more seamless mobility for top-level officials, enabling faster decision-making and on-ground governance.
Officials said the adjustment reflects the state government’s acknowledgment of the growing logistical and travel demands associated with governance and administration. It also seeks to address inflationary pressures that have made previous vehicle allowances inadequate for day-to-day operational needs.
The updated allowance structure is likely to impact budgetary planning at the departmental level, particularly in sectors involving frequent field-level inspections and public outreach.
By aligning expenditure norms with present-day costs, the Odisha government aims to improve administrative efficiency and support governance reforms. The revision is seen as a strategic step in modernizing public service delivery and easing logistical constraints faced by officials across the state.
