Meghalaya Legislators have been advised to use and buy the desi-Rolls Royce, the Ambassador, and travel in economy class airfare.
"If the President, Prime Minister of India and other ministers can travel in the white Amby than why can't legislators here," asked Economic advisor to the Chief Minister, Charles Pyngrope today, announcing the austerity measures.
In June last, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) had asked party men to show some austerity and go window-shopping or use cost-effective vehicles. Included in that shopping list, is the dogged Ambassador.
"We can save between Rs 3 to 4 Crore annually by slashing unnecessary expenditure. This amount can be used to pay salary of ad hoc school teachers," Pyngrope said.
The present Chief Minister J D Rymbai has a Rs. 15 Lakh worth Octavia. Former Chief Minister DD Lapang used a Sonata car priced anything between 12-14 Lakh.
Other legislators too have used such expensive luxury vehicles. "Only the CM and the Deputy CM may use such luxury vehicles," Pyngrope stated.
With this sudden change of heart, the good old Ambassador car, which epitomized Independent India's quest with progress and development, seem to have sidelined it's faster and swankier imported cousins.
In fact, the 'Old Lady', these days fires up the with a powerful 1800cc Isuzu engine. It first hit the Indian roads in 1957 and epitomised India's
potential to build indigenous vehicles.
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