Bhopal — A controversy over alleged irregularities in Madhya Pradesh’s Dial 112 emergency response project has escalated after viral social media posts claimed that vehicles worth only ₹30–40 lakh each were purchased for over ₹1 crore apiece, inflating the state’s expenditure to ₹1,500 crore. The state government, however, has dismissed these allegations as “misleading and false,” asserting that no cars were purchased outright, but leased through a tendering process for five years at a total cost of ₹972 crore.
The Allegations That Sparked a Storm
The controversy erupted after posts circulated on social media alleging that the state had spent more than ₹1,500 crore on vehicle purchases under the Dial 112 scheme. The claims suggested that cars costing under ₹40 lakh were billed at over ₹1 crore each, sparking outrage over alleged misuse of public funds.
The issue gained political traction when senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh wrote to the Director General of Police, Kailash Makwana, on September 4. In his letter, Singh alleged irregularities in the tendering process, particularly in the second phase of the project, and demanded an inquiry into what he called a case of “serious financial impropriety.”
The Government’s Defense: A Leasing Model
Responding to the allegations, the Directorate of Press Information (DPR) of Madhya Pradesh issued a fact-check. It clarified that the total sanctioned expenditure for Dial 112 was approximately ₹972 crore, spread over five years—not ₹1,500 crore in a single year.
The government explained that the project involved leasing, not purchasing, 1,200 First Response Vehicles (FRVs). Under the contract, the state pays ₹32,000 per month for each Bolero and ₹36,000 per month for each Scorpio, alongside wages for nearly 500 drivers. Officials stressed that the outlay also covers maintenance costs, IT infrastructure such as servers and software, and operational expenses.
What the Money Actually Covers
According to official documents, the ₹972 crore allocation includes:
- ₹719.75 crore for salaries of nearly 5,000 staff managing the fleet,
- ₹78.5 crore for wages of 500+ command center staff,
- ₹174 crore for IT infrastructure and its upkeep.
The government emphasized that the budget supports not just vehicles, but the entire emergency response ecosystem—comprising control centers, software, maintenance, and manpower over a five-year contract.
Political Tensions and Public Scrutiny
Despite these clarifications, opposition leaders continue to press for a probe, citing alleged irregularities in the tendering process. Digvijaya Singh claimed to have submitted documents highlighting discrepancies and urged the state’s police leadership to investigate further.
The controversy underscores the growing sensitivity around public expenditure and government transparency, particularly in high-visibility public safety projects. While the Madhya Pradesh government insists that the figures are being misrepresented, critics argue that the matter warrants an independent audit to restore public confidence.