THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a controversy of the section officer and assistants accompanying a high-ranking official to London in the name of masala bond, reports come in of a vehicle extravaganza in KIIFB.

At a time when the state government is facing severe financial crisis, some junior officials are using official vehicles to reach office and return home after flouting rules. Lakhs were spent to rent seven vehicles for official purposes. However, it is alleged that these vehicles are being misused flouting rules. These employees are not permitted to use official vehicles.

Two Innova Crysta, Three Toyota Qualis, one Honda City and one Mahindra Bolero are being misused. KIIFB spent Rs 20 lakh for vehicles in the last financial year. There is a special rule regarding the use of official vehicles. According to that, only principal secretaries, departmental heads and ministers private secretaries can use such vehicles. Only Dr K M Abraham, chief executive officer has the permission to use vehicles in KIIFB. However, some other officials are misusing the vehicles.

The rule is that a person before starting his journey should register his travel itinerary in the log book. When his journey ends, he should register the distance travelled in the book and put his signature. But this is not done. The finance department should examine this. Meantime, when the officials of KIIFB controlled directly by the finance department are violating rules, it has been alleged that the concerned officials are closing eyes.

The officials are getting a good amount as salary. The monthly salary of chief executive officer is Rs 2.75 lakh. Not only that, he will get a hike of Rs 27,500 every year. He was paid Rs 35 lakh as salary. The salary of the chief project examiner leading the technical inspection section is Rs 2.3 lakh.