Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Accusing the National Conference (NC)-Congress Coalition Government of following misplaced priorities, BJP National executive member and J&K chief spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that even as the State employees are constantly agitating for release of arrears and regular salary, it is baffling to come across reports that during the past 10 years, which include over five years of the present NC-Congress regime, an amount of Rs 310 crore has been spent on purchase of air-fleet.
What is more appalling is the revelation that, in the last three years of NC-Congress rule, an amount of Rs 12 crore has been incurred on the plane and chopper sorties to facilitate movement of dignitaries, he added.
Dr Singh took serious exception to reports that instead of being apologetic about such extravagant air-fleet expenditure despite the financial crunch, the State Government is contemplating purchase of more choppers including the sophisticated “Light Twin-Engine Helicopters” and has already shortlisted some foreign companies to go ahead with the purchase.
The BJP leader demanded a detailed paper from the Coalition Government to disclose what precisely was the nature of air sorties that took place during the last five years and how often was the State helicopter used to fly the so-called VVIPS to a tourist destination like Gulmarg or to carry them from their residential bungalows to the airport and back, and how often were the State helicopters actually used for their officially declared purpose.
Dr Jitendra observed that it is absolutely unpardonable for the Coalition Government to squander State exchequer in such lavish manner at a time when the State is so cash-starved that it has no money even to replace damaged electric poles or repair damaged roads, when people are taking to streets against power and water shortage, when over seven to eight lakh youth are jobless and when under the Govt’s misguided new employment policy, a fresh educated recruit will get at an average of mere Rs 3000 per month for first two years and Rs 5500 during next three years before getting the full salary.
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