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Minister Satya Kumar Calls for Full Audit of Andhra Pradesh Health Department Vehicle Fleet

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. hra-pradesh-health-department-vehicle-fleet.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 22:13 GMT by The New Indian Express
      Locale: Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Andhra Minister Satya Kumar Demands a Full Audit of Health‑Department Vehicles

The New Indian Express published a detailed report on July 13, 2025, highlighting a growing concern in Andhra Pradesh’s public service delivery: the misuse and opaque accounting of vehicles owned by the State Health Department. The article is centred on the actions of Minister Satya Kumar—currently the Minister of Higher Education and the Minister of Health and Family Welfare—who has publicly demanded a comprehensive audit of the department’s fleet.

1. Background: Vehicles in the Health Ministry

The Health Department of Andhra Pradesh maintains an extensive fleet of more than 200 vehicles, comprising ambulances, staff cars, medical vans, and departmental service vehicles. These vehicles are crucial for transporting patients, medical supplies, and healthcare workers across the state’s sprawling rural and urban regions. In the past two years, several allegations have surfaced that some of these vehicles were being used for non‑health‑related purposes, or that they were under‑maintained, leading to costly repairs and fuel waste.

The New Indian Express article links to the State Ministry of Health’s official page (http://www.aphealth.gov.in/vehicles) for a list of registered vehicles and their allotted usage. It also references a previous audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Andhra Pradesh, which highlighted irregularities in fuel receipts and vehicle maintenance schedules.

2. Minister Satya Kumar’s Concerns

In a statement released on the morning of July 11, Satya Kumar expressed “deep concern” over the apparent lack of transparency in the way the health department manages its fleet. He noted that several complaints had been received from patients and local panchayats who alleged that ambulances were being diverted for private transport or that vehicles were parked in unauthorized locations, thereby hindering emergency response times.

“We cannot allow public resources to be used for private gain or mismanagement,” the minister said in a video message. “The health department’s fleet is a public asset. It must be used strictly for its intended purpose.”

The article quotes the minister’s full remarks, sourced from a press release posted on the state government’s official portal (http://www.apgov.in/pressrelease/2025/07/13). It underscores his insistence that the vehicles be accounted for, inspected, and monitored to ensure they serve the public effectively.

3. The Audit Request

Satya Kumar has instructed the Health Department to submit a detailed report to the Cabinet on the usage, condition, and financial management of its vehicles by 30 July 2025. The report is to cover:

• Fleet inventory and allocation – including vehicle type, registration number, assigned duty, and location.
• Fuel consumption logs – monthly fuel usage, receipts, and comparison with standard mileage expectations.
• Maintenance records – servicing schedules, costs, and compliance with state regulations.
• Driver credentials – license validity, training, and incident reports.
• Utilization metrics – number of trips, patient transport statistics, and response times for emergencies.

The article explains that the minister’s request comes in the wake of a national “Clean Government” initiative launched by the central government to curb corruption and inefficiencies in state agencies. It also notes that the Health Ministry’s previous audit report by the CAG highlighted a 12 % discrepancy between reported and actual fuel consumption.

4. Government Response

The Health Department’s spokesperson, Dr. Ramesh Babu, issued a brief response on July 12. He said the department is “committed to full transparency” and would cooperate with the audit. Dr. Babu also mentioned that the department has already begun compiling usage data and that a preliminary report will be ready for review by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the State Transport Department’s head, Ms. Leela Reddy, is expected to collaborate on the audit, given that many of the vehicles are registered under the transport ministry. The article links to a press briefing by Ms. Reddy (http://www.aptransport.gov.in/briefing/2025/07/12), where she confirmed the inter‑departmental cooperation.

5. Wider Context: Past Vehicle‑Related Scandals

The article situates this audit within a broader pattern of vehicle misuse scandals that have plagued various state ministries. It cites two earlier incidents:

• 2019 – A whistleblower exposed that several staff cars from the Revenue Department were being used by private contractors.
• 2021 – A report by the Andhra Pradesh Police’s Anti‑Corruption Bureau found that 18 ambulances from the Health Department were parked in unauthorized locations for more than six months, causing delays in emergency services.

The Minister’s call for a report, therefore, is perceived as a strategic move to reinforce the state’s image as a “transparent” government. The article also links to a 2022 editorial by the New Indian Express that critiqued the state’s handling of vehicle audits, providing readers with a historical backdrop.

6. Impact on Public Services

If the audit uncovers significant irregularities, the state may take several remedial actions:

1. Reallocation or disposal of under‑utilized vehicles – ensuring that the fleet size aligns with actual service needs.
2. Stricter procurement and maintenance policies – including mandatory periodic inspections.
3. Enhanced tracking systems – implementing GPS and electronic logging for all vehicles to monitor real‑time usage.
4. Penalty or disciplinary action – against officials found guilty of misusing resources.

These measures are expected to improve the efficiency of ambulance services, reduce fuel wastage, and ultimately benefit patients in remote areas. The article quotes a local health activist who says, “We need reliable ambulances, especially in villages where delays can cost lives.”

7. Conclusion

The New Indian Express article on July 13, 2025, paints a comprehensive picture of Minister Satya Kumar’s proactive stance on public asset management. By demanding a detailed report on the Health Department’s vehicle usage, the minister seeks to curb misuse, enhance accountability, and align with the broader clean‑government ethos promoted by the central administration.

As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Health Ministry’s audit findings. A transparent, corrective action plan could reinforce public trust, whereas any failure to address the highlighted issues may invite further scrutiny from the media and civil society.

For readers interested in the full text of the minister’s press release and the Health Department’s official vehicle register, the article includes direct hyperlinks to the respective government portals.