Odisha Thar Scam News | 7 Crores Spent On 51 Thars, 5 Crores On Customisation: Odisha Orders Probe
The Odisha government has ordered a probe into the alleged irregularities surrounding the purchase and extensive customisation of 51 Mahindra Thar SUVs by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department. The department in November last year purchased the SUVs for Rs 7.1 crore (about Rs 14 lakh per vehicle) for wildlife monitoring, patrolling in rugged forest areas, anti-poaching operations, and forest fire prevention. However, questions arose over the department spending an additional Rs 5 crore on modifications, amounting to about Rs 9 lakh per vehicle. These vehicles were intended for field officers and deployed across the state's 22 wildlife divisions, with the highest number, nine, stationed at the Similipal Tiger Reserve, where poaching remains a significant threat.
