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Deputy Proposes $30,000 Limit for Officials' Cars

State Duma Deputy Alexei Zhuravlev has drafted a bill prohibiting state organizations from spending more than 1 million rubles ($30,300) on personal cars for officials.

"One can buy a good car for 1 million rubles. State Duma deputies use them, but heads of district administrations presume they can use much more expensive cars," Zhuravlev told Izvestia Thursday.

The lawmaker claims he has collected 146,000 signatures in support of the initiative, Interfax reported.

The bill will not ban state officials from using luxury cars if they are purchased with personal funds and not used during regular office hours.

Valery Trapeznikov, a deputy from United Russia, endorsed the initiative from his fellow party member. He said all state officials with the exception of the president and the prime minister should use vehicles assembled in Russia.

Another initiative proposed by opposition activist and Moscow mayoral candidate Alexei Navalny seeks a 1.5 million ruble spending limit on official vehicles and has collected 100,000 signatures on the "Russian Public Initiatives" online platform for petitions, Lenta.ru reported.

Based on last year's income declarations many state officials have a taste for luxury brand cars, like presidential envoy to the North Caucasus Alexander Khloponin's 9 million ruble Bentley and 8 million ruble Mercedes.

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