The government’s decision to provide new vehicles (Scorpio) to the chairmen of 10 Agricultural Produce and Marketing Committees (APMC) has triggered a massive outrage among people. Citing the unprecedented financial crisis the state is going through, people are questioning how so much money could be splurged on luxuries when the government is contemplating to cut back even welfare schemes catering to the vulnerable sections of society.The Marketing Board earns most of its money through marketing fee imposed on the sale of agricultural and horticultural produce in the APMC mandis. “It’s the farmers’ money and is supposed to be used for their welfare. The government is struggling to pay the pending MIS dues to the fruit growers, but there seems to be no shortage of money for political appointees. The government should cancel the order,” said Harish Chauhan, convener of Sanyukt Kisan Manch.Although the proposal for buying these vehicles came from Himachal Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board (HPSAMB) but it was cleared at the government level. While three vehicles have already arrived, the remaining seven are expected to be delivered shortly.Kuldeep Singh Pathania, the newly-appointed HPSAMB chairman, said the board had sent the proposal before he took over as its chairman a few days back. “The board must have acted after viewing its financial health. It must be in profit. I will check the details,” said Pathania.An APMC chairman, who has received the vehicle, attributed the outrage to the timing of the arrival of the vehicles. “The proposal to buy these vehicles was approved a couple of months back. Unfortunately, these vehicles were delivered at a time when the financial outlook had turned extremely grim following the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant,” he said.Asked if the APMC chairman is entitled to an attached vehicle, he said the chairman had been getting a vehicle for the last 20 years. Talking on the condition of anonymity, an APMC secretary, however, said APMC chairman is not entitled to an attached vehicle. “APMC chairman can use the vehicles only for meetings and while on tour,” he said.