'Choose India-made Tata, Mahindra EVs instead': Former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant to Lokpal on Rs 5cr BMW tender

Kant urged the Lokapal to choose electric vehicles made in India by makers like Tata Motors and Mahindra. He also suggested some models in a post on X.

"They need to cancel this tender and go in for @makeinindia, Electric Vehicles — either Mahindra's XEV 9E, BE 6 or Tata's Harrier EV. They are top class vehicles," Kant said on X.

His post comes after the Lokapal floated a tender to acquire seven BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport cars, together worth around Rs 5 crore, reported Business Today.

The tender said the luxury cars will be used by its chairman and six members against its sanctioned strength of eight, said the report.

"The Lokpal of India invites open tenders from reputed agencies for supply of seven BMW 3 Series 330Li cars to the Lokpal of India," the document read, specifying the M Sport long wheelbase model in white colour, said the Business Today report.

The tender, floated on October 16, will end on November 6 and bids will be opened the next day.

According to information available on BMW’s website, the 3 Series Long Wheelbase is described as the most spacious in its class and “impressive in every way,” featuring advanced technology and comfort amenities. The model’s on-road price in New Delhi is around ₹69.5 lakh.

The tender further specifies that the chosen vendor must organise a seven-day training programme for the Lokpal’s drivers and designated personnel.

The training — comprising both classroom and on-road sessions — will include “familiarisation with all controls, features and safety systems of the BMW 330Li M Sport,” “hands-on operational training,” and “understanding of fuel efficiency parameters and driving modes.”

Each driver is required to complete between 50 and 100 kilometres of supervised driving under certified trainers, with a logbook maintained and signed after every session.

The vendor will also be responsible for covering all costs related to the programme — including trainer fees, fuel, travel, and logistics — ensuring no additional expenditure for the Lokpal.

The tender document says the training will be held in Delhi's Vasant Kunj Institutional Area, where the Lokpal's office is located, according to the report.