India Africa summit: Govt to hire vehicles, fine ‘smelly’ cars, rude drivers

South Block officials have devised a unique formula to ensure quality services by the car companies — based on penalties for every problem or violation.

Sample these:
* Rs 200 fine to be imposed if the car smells and the seat covers are not clean. The fine will be increased to Rs 500 if the car smells for the second day and is found to be unclean.

* Rs 2,000 penalty if the car arrives more than 15 minutes late, Rs 800 if late by 10-15 minutes, Rs 500 if late by up to 10 minutes.
* Rs 500-1,000 penalty if the driver is not dressed “appropriately”.
* Rs 1,000-2,000 penalty if the driver misbehaves.
* Rs 1,000-2,000 penalty in case of tampering of meter.
* Rs 1,000-2,000 penalty in case of irregularities such as overwriting, forged entries in the log book.

These conditions are part of the tender document released by the Ministry of External Affairs last week. South Block is looking at hiring Mercedes Benz E250 or E350 (black or dark colour), BMW 5 series, Audi or Toyota Camry (white) and Toyota Corolla (white) cars for the Presidents, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers of the 54 African countries.

It also wants Tata Safari Storme, Tata Star Bus, Tata Van, Toyota Hiace, Mercedes Benz Viano vans and equivalent cars/ vans of other make to ferry mid and junior African officials.

The Ministry of External Affairs has specified that if the air-conditioning was not working or malfunctioning, the company would have to provide another vehicle within an hour.

In case of a breakdown en route, the ministry would arrange another car for the delegate, the payment of which would be borne by the contractor.

In case of recurrent malfunctioning or dissatisfactory vehicle condition, the ministry would arrange another car for the delegate.