India, Oct. 23 -- Amid the row over a public tender floated by the Lokpal of India, seeking to acquire seven high-end BMW 330 Li vehicles, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant asked authorities to cancel the tender and called for supporting make-in-India electric vehicles instead.

The tender notice, dated October 16, regarding the procurement of luxury vehicles from India's anti-corruption ombudsman triggered a massive backlash.

"The Lokpal of India invites open tenders from reputed Agencies for the supply of seven BMW 3 Series Li Cars to the Lokpal of India," the notice reads. The Lokpal wants these cars, each costing over Rs.60 lakh, to preferably be delivered within two weeks, and no later than 30 days from the date of order.

Citing t...