With austerity fever taking the political class across the country in its grip, Rajkot Mayor Sandhya Vyas buying a luxury car has caught the Opposition’s eye.

Sources said Vyas bought the latest model of Toyota Innova for over Rs 12 lakh a month ago and sent the bill to the civic body Standing Committee for clearance. The committee had given its nod for a regular Toyota Innova GXP with CNG kit, which costs Rs 10.22 lakh, but Vyas purchased a luxury model ‘VXP’ as the regular model was not available then, said sources.

Vyas, who is on an official tour to Kazakhstan to attend a seminar, forwarded the additional bill to the committee headed by Commissioner Dinesh Brahmbhatt. The committee led by Chairman Kamlesh Mirani cleared the bill on Friday .

“Delivery of a regular model, for which the nod was given, would have taken around two months. Besides, this model has better safety features,” said Mirani, adding that they had no option but to clear the bill when the mayor had forwarded it after selecting the model.

The Opposition Congress, which hardly registered any protest when the car was purchased, said the committee should have cancelled the additional bill. “The mayor has gone against the Standing Committee. Commissioner Brahmbhatt should have stopped the bill,” said Opposition leader Narendrasinh Jadeja.

Brahmbhatt was not available for comments.