The Odisha Forest Department has landed in controversy following the purchase of 51 Mahindra Thar SUVs during the 2024–25 financial year, with the overall expenditure nearing Rs 12 crore. While the vehicles themselves cost around Rs 7 crore, documents later revealed that nearly Rs 5 crore more was spent on extensive modifications, triggering sharp criticism.
Official records indicate that each Thar was procured at approximately Rs 14 lakh. The additional expenditure covered specialised fittings and equipment intended to adapt the vehicles for forest-related duties.
Amid growing backlash, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia ordered a special audit into the procurement. He also instructed officials to closely review both the purchase process and the justification for the modification costs.
The minister acknowledged that some level of customisation could be necessary for operational requirements but cautioned against wasteful expenditure. “If any installations are found to be avoidable, disproportionate, or carried out without proper approval, firm action will follow,” he said. He further warned that any unlawful or questionable practices uncovered during the audit would be dealt with strictly.
Forest Department officials defended the decision, stating that the SUVs are meant for demanding tasks such as firefighting in forest zones, transporting personnel to remote and border regions, safeguarding wildlife, and tackling illegal activities including poaching and timber smuggling. According to the department, the rugged terrain and challenging conditions made modifications unavoidable.
However, questions remain over whether all approvals were in place beforehand and whether the scale of spending was truly warranted.
An Odisha government ordered an official audit on the procurement and customization of the vehicles by PCCF (Wildlife).
“Officials indicated that accountability will be determined once the audit findings are submitted, and subsequent steps will depend on those conclusions,” sources said.
Meanwhile, the state government has reiterated that clarity will emerge only after the audit is complete, though the issue has already subjected the Forest Department’s expenditure choices to intense political and public examination.
