THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has found itself in the eye of a storm over allegations of financial imprudence and excessive spending on hired vehicles. Official figures reveal that the state infrastructure financing body spent ₹2.05 crore solely on hiring 16 vehicles during the 2024–25 financial year.
Deviation from Standard Norms
In standard government departments and state public sector undertakings (PSUs), vehicle entitlement is tightly regulated. Most entities operate with just one or two official cars dedicated to the department head and essential daily administrative duties.
However, KIIFB’s headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram currently maintains a fleet of 16 rented vehicles. Reports suggest that even officers who do not meet the official eligibility criteria for dedicated transport are frequently utilizing these hired vehicles at public expense.
Steep Multi-Year Escalation
A comparative look at KIIFB’s annual financial reports highlights a sharp increase in transportation costs:
FY 2023–24: ₹1.71 Crore
FY 2024–25: ₹2.05 Crore
This reflects an increase of nearly ₹34 lakh in a single financial year, dedicated purely to vehicle hire contracts.
Growing Demands for Accountability
The disclosure comes at a time when questions are already being raised about state liabilities and fiscal discipline. Civic groups and financial analysts have called for an immediate audit into KIIFB’s operational administrative expenses, demanding strict enforcement of vehicle allocation norms and an immediate reduction in non-essential expenditure.
