Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) engages 64 rented cars from three car rental companies and pays a monthly rent of  Rs. 15,01,376. These cars are provided to various officers and to the seven Standing Committee Chairmen.

As rentals to the car companies, in March 2017, the MCC has paid Rs. 5,06,544 to S.V. & Sons, Rs. 4,77,832 to Sky Star Enterprises and Rs. 5,17,000 to M.R. Balasubramanya Raje Urs. According to the documents available with Star of Mysore, each car incurs an expenditure of Rs. 1,000 per day and it is used for 24 or 26 days a month. Almost all cars have incurred a bill of Rs. 23,000 to Rs. 28,000 per month.

These cars, most of which are hatchbacks, have been given to senior staff of the MCC including officials of the rank of Executive Engineer, Assistant Commissioner, Development Officer, Health Officer and Environmental Engineer. The MCC incurs an expenditure of about Rs. 5 lakh per month on account of the car facility. Approximately, Rs. 1.8 crore is spent on the car facility by the MCC every year.

The car rental system was implemented by the State Government eight years back as it wanted to cut costs. As it was not in a position to buy new vehicles for the use of officers, it devised a plan to hire private vehicles.

According to sources, using this, some officers and elected representatives recommended their ‘favourite companies’ to apply for tender and bag the contract. It is no secret that in Mysuru City Corporation too, some elected representatives and officers have invested in car rental companies to make quick money, sources said.

Devising new ways to increase the kilometres run by vehicles, some officers and their political bosses go on special field visits, spot inspections and area surveys, sources added.