Why current govt buying cars for next govt’s ministers

The interim government has decided to purchase in advance the cars that the ministers of the government that will come to power after the 13th National Parliament elections in February next year (2026). The countrymen have been surprised to read such news published in the media. According to the published news, the Finance Ministry has approved the proposal to purchase 60 Mitsubishi Pajero QX-2427 CC models for the ministers of the next government. The cost of purchasing each car will be 1 crore 69 lakh taka. In addition, 220 cars, including 191 Pajeros, are being purchased for those who will serve at the district and upazila levels in the next elections. In total, the government will spend 445 crore taka to purchase 280 cars.

Since the news broke, criticism has spread across social media. Questions are also being raised as to why these vehicles are being bought now. On this matter, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said: “Why is the current government deciding which vehicles the next government or its ministers will use, or which they will purchase? This is not the responsibility of a caretaker government.” He added, “This not only disregards cost-saving measures, but also raises the question: who authorised the interim government to purchase vehicles for the next government? This decision should be cancelled immediately.”

The proposal to buy the vehicles states that the government’s transport pool lacks vehicles of adequate standard for the advisers, ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers, or other equivalent officials of the next elected government. The vehicles currently in use by advisers were purchased in the 2015–16 fiscal year and often require costly and time-consuming repairs. The proposal notes that with the existing vehicles, it would be difficult for future ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers to carry out essential duties such as visiting their constituencies, inspecting development projects, and other urgent work. The Ministry of Public Administration’s proposal has recently been approved by the Finance Division.

Meanwhile, the country’s poverty rate has risen to 28 per cent. Research by PPRC shows that poverty had been declining for three decades but has been increasing for the past three years. In a country where poverty is rising, how justifiable is such extravagant spending for government officials? Vehicles may be necessary, but why is the current government buying them for the next government’s ministers? What if the incoming ministers do not favour these vehicles? Will they then buy new ones? What will happen to the vehicles already purchased?

Although it has been stated that the 13th general election will be held in February, there is considerable doubt as to whether the election will take place on time. In this context, the decision to buy vehicles for future ministers appears highly unreasonable. We therefore urge the government to reconsider this decision. Beyond purchasing cars for the next government’s ministers, there are many pressing issues in the country. The current government should focus far more on addressing those problems.