Anti-graft watchdog to ride in style, floats tender for 7 snazzy BMWs

The country’s top anti-corruption watchdog — the Lokpal of India — has floated a tender to procure seven luxury BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport sedans, each priced around Rs 70 lakh, for official use. The move is likely to raise eyebrows.

According to the tender document, accessed by The Tribune, the Lokpal has invited bids from reputed automobile agencies for the supply of seven high-end BMW vehicles, complete with comprehensive training for drivers and staff to ensure “efficient, safe and optimal operation”.

The total procurement could cost the exchequer nearly Rs 5 crore, exclusive of taxes and maintenance — an unusually lavish expenditure for an institution tasked with investigating corruption among public servants.

The Lokpal, established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, was envisioned as the country’s foremost body to probe graft charges against senior government functionaries, including ministers and top bureaucrats. Its founding principle was to embody integrity, independence and austerity.

However, the decision to acquire a fleet of luxury sedans — typically associated with corporate executives and Cabinet ministers — is likely to invite sharp public scrutiny.

The tender, issued recently, states that the selected vendor must provide the latest BMW 330Li M Sport models, along with a seven-day classroom and on-road training programme for the Lokpal’s drivers and designated staff.

The document details an elaborate training plan, including familiarisation with advanced safety systems and infotainment features, hands-on sessions for emergency handling and preventive maintenance, up to 100 km of supervised on-road driving per driver, and comprehensive instruction on “fuel efficiency parameters” and “driving modes”. As per the tender document, all training-related expenses, including trainers, fuel, materials, refreshments and logistics, are to be borne by the vendor.

While the Lokpal has not commented publicly on the rationale behind the procurement, critics are likely to question why an anti-corruption body, meant to symbolise probity and restraint, requires premium luxury sedans for its officials instead of standard government vehicles.