Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: An amount of nearly Rs 12 crore has been spent on the fuel and maintenance of the State aircraft and helicopters, which conducted 3552 sorties during the past three years.
The State Civil Aviation Department has one Aircraft King Air-350 and two helicopters-Bell 407 and Augusta-109E and primarily these are meant to facilitate the movement of dignitaries such as Governor and the Chief Minister.
During the year 2010-11, an amount of Rs 440.55 lakh was spent on maintenance, fuel, insurance and labour and landing charges of aircraft and helicopters while as in 2011-12 an amount of Rs 360.19 lakh was incurred on State aircraft/helicopters. During 2012-13 up to ending February 2013, expenditure of Rs 395.71 lakh was registered on maintenance and fuel.
This information was provided by the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in the Legislative Assembly today. Besides Governor and Chief Minister, the aircraft and helicopters are also used by other VVIPs like visiting Union Ministers, Presiding Officers of Legislature, Ministerial colleagues and senior officers of the Central and State Governments on the authorization of Chief Minister.
According to the details furnished by the Chief Minister, the aircraft and helicopters conducted a total of 3552 sorties from January 2010 till February 2013.
Mr Omar informed the House that Aircraft King Air 350 has been generally used to facilitate the movement of the VVIPs on Jammu-Srinagar-Leh-Rajouri-Delhi circuits and helicopters are used within the State for official purpose and security considerations. The helicopters have also been used in the casualty excavation and patient lifting.
About the reasons behind frequent use of the helicopters, the Chief Minister said, “the State has geographically isolated areas and some areas remain cut off during winter due to closure of passes and absence of road connectivity and Government functionaries have to reach out to make on the spot assessment of the problems of people”, adding “these machines have enabled the State machinery to reach far-flung areas of the State for monitoring of ongoing developmental works and also to ensure availability of food grains and other amenities”.
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