Chandigarh, Aug. 12 -- The high-powered purchase committee (HPPC) headed by chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday approved the purchase of 29 new 52-seater buses and six mini-buses for the police department at a cost of around Rs.12 crore.

The HPPC approved rate contracts of various goods worth over Rs.1,763 crore pertaining to different departments. During the meeting, rates were finalised after negotiations with various bidders, resulting in savings of more than Rs.10 crore, an official spokesperson said.

Energy and transport minister Anil Vij, education minister Mahipal Dhanda, agriculture and farmers welfare minister Shyam Singh Rana, public works (buildings and roads) minister Ranbir Gangwa, and women and child development min...