Major Decision by Maharashtra Government: Finance Department Refuses Funds for Special RTO Numbers

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has observed that various state departments and authorized dignitaries are spending substantial amounts of public money on ‘RTO Special Numbers’ (VIP license plates) while purchasing official vehicles. To curb this unnecessary expenditure and enforce financial discipline, the Finance Department issued a key official circular on August 11, 2026, strictly prohibiting the allocation of state funds for such expenses.

The government clarified that there are no existing official orders permitting the procurement of special or VIP numbers for government vehicles. Despite this, several offices and office-bearers were found spending heavily from the state treasury to secure preferred vehicle numbers. In light of this, the Finance Department has adopted a firm stance aligned with its policy of financial prudence and austerity.

Under the new directives, if any government office, minister, or official incurs expenses for a special vehicle number, no funds will be sanctioned or reimbursed by the government under any circumstances.

This order is not limited to ministerial departments alone; it applies with immediate effect to all state government offices, rural and urban local self-government bodies, public sector undertakings, educational institutions, universities, statutory boards, corporations, and state-aided institutions. With significant public funds already being spent on vehicle maintenance, fuel, and driver salaries, the state government has taken this decisive step to halt the wasteful spending associated with VIP vehicle numbers.