CITCO splurges on Chandigarh officers’ smooth ride in Delhi

CITCO first bought an Ambassador for Delhi in 2009. Three years later, it scaled up the expenditure to buy a Honda City, and now it’s bought a Toyota Corolla worth Rs 20 lakh.

After doling out heavy discounts to officials, past and present, of the UT administration, Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) has now purchased a luxury Toyota car for the use of UT administrator, adviser and other senior officer’s on their visits to Delhi.

Toyota Corolla Altis, which was bought for Rs 20 lakh. (HT Photo)

As per the agenda approved in December 2017, CITCO has purchased a Toyota Corolla Altis worth ₹20 lakh for the UT guesthouse in New Delhi, which is managed by the UT hospitality department.

Interestingly, CITCO has no office in Delhi, nor is it expected to play a role in the UT guesthouse in the national capital.

When contacted, CITCO board of directors’ chairman Anurag Aggarwal said the agenda was approved in the board meeting. “It is not the first time that a vehicle has been bought for senior officers. It’s been going on for several years now,” he said.

But Baldev Raj, president of CITCO workers’ union, said they had opposed the agenda when it was taken up by the board for the first time. “This expenditure is of no use to CITCO. This money should be utilised for promoting the corporation,” he said.

On January 23, HT had highlighted how around 100 former members of the corporation have been enjoying 40% discount on food and beverages at its hotels — Mountview, Shivalikview and Parkview — since 1995. When in service, they were entitled to a discount of 50%.