THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a controversy over the section officer and assistants of Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) accompanying a high-ranking official to London in the name of masala bond, reports have come out on vehicle extravaganza in the board.

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, flouting rules. Lakhs were spent to rent seven vehicles for official purposes. However, it is alleged that these vehicles are being misused when 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 but some other officials are also using 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. The finance department should examine this. But these rules are not followed.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that when the officials of KIIFB controlled directly by the finance department are violating rules, the officials concerned are turning a Nelson's eye.

The officials are getting big money 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. Till date, he has pocketed Rs 35 lakh as salary. The salary of the chief project examiner leading the technical inspection section is Rs 2.3 lakh.