Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over misuse of interest free advances for purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) by some of its employees, the State Government imposed additional regulations to bring transparency in releasing sops under Electric Vehicle Policy 2021.
Department of Finance has issued a circular to all Administrative Departments in this regard.
The State Government has launched the Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 in order to encourage adoption of electric vehicles to reduce the pollution levels caused by use of fossil fuels.
One of the incentives extended to State Government employees is interest free advance for purchase of Electric Vehicles, which was notified by the Finance Department in April,2022.
Allegations have been received regarding misutilization of interest free advances for purchase of electric vehicles by some employees which defeats the very purpose of the EV policy of the State Government. Accordingly, the Department has come up with some measures to address it.
As per the latest circular, Government employees availing the advance have to furnish the copy of Registration Certificate (RC), insurance and retail invoice of the vehicles to the sanctioning authority within 3 months from the date of release of the advance failing which the entire advance amount along with simple interest of 12.5% per annum will be recovered from the concerned Government employee from the date of release of the advance.
The Administrative Departments have been asked to initiate disciplinary proceedings as per rules against the defaulting employees immediately and also take necessary steps for recovery of the entire advance amount along with interest forthwith from the concerned Government employees latest by July 31, 2023.
In case of refund, the principal amount of the advance will be deposited in the concerned head of accounts, it said.
The Odisha Government had brought the Policy with a targeted adoption of 20% electric vehicles by the end of 2025 as a measure to reduce vehicular pollution.
However, it was found that only 4.48% of electric vehicles have been registered by the end of 2022 which is not satisfactory in comparison to the policy objective. Therefore, the Government had enhanced the subsidy amount in April this year.
Now, the Government is providing a subsidy of Rs 5000 per kWh for registration of EV in Odisha. The maximum subsidy of Rs 20,000 being provided on the purchase of electricity-powered two-wheelers, officials say.
Similarly, a subsidy of Rs 30,000 provided for three-wheelers. The Government also gave a subsidy of Rs 10,000 per kWh for EV four wheelers with a ceiling of Rs 1.5 lakh.
The vehicles purchased on or after 1 September, 2021 are eligible for the subsidy. As per the policy, the provision of subsidy would continue till December, 2025.
