Mathrubhumi: Kerala: Saturday,
7 September 2024.
The Kerala government has
spent Rs 7.20 crore so far on hiring a helicopter for various purposes, including
relief work, air ambulance services, and organ transplants, as well as for
public use. This information was disclosed in response to an RTI (Right to
Information Act) query submitted to the state police headquarters.
The helicopter rental, which began on September 20, 2023, costs Rs 80 lakh per month, including GST. The helicopter, leased from the Delhi-based private company Chipsan Aviation, allows for 25 hours of flight time per month at this rate. Any additional flight time beyond this allocation incurs a charge of Rs 90,000 per hour.
However, the RTI response does not disclose the number of times the government utilized the helicopter during the nine-month period from September 20, 2023, to June 19, 2024. The police department manages helicopter operations. When inquired about the frequency of its use over the past year, the police headquarters stated that the helicopter is used monthly, adhering to the fixed time limit.
The helicopter was intended for use as an air ambulance and for emergency relief work. Despite this, there are no reports indicating that it was deployed for relief efforts during the Wayanad landslides. The response also reveals that the helicopter, which can carry up to eleven people, including the pilot, is primarily used for public purposes, though specific details about these public needs have not been provided.
The reply confirms that the helicopter's service is utilized monthly according to the allotted flight hours. Efforts are currently underway to renew the contract and continue leasing the helicopter.
Earlier, during the Covid crisis in 2020, the Kerala government faced strong objections when it first hired a helicopter from Pawan Hans Company at a cost of Rs 22.21 crore. The agreement was not renewed following severe criticism over the perceived lack of significant benefits from the rental.
After a hiatus of two and a half years, the decision to lease the helicopter again in 2023 sparked widespread criticism once more. The opposition criticized the decision to hire the helicopter amid the ongoing economic crisis.
The helicopter rental, which began on September 20, 2023, costs Rs 80 lakh per month, including GST. The helicopter, leased from the Delhi-based private company Chipsan Aviation, allows for 25 hours of flight time per month at this rate. Any additional flight time beyond this allocation incurs a charge of Rs 90,000 per hour.
However, the RTI response does not disclose the number of times the government utilized the helicopter during the nine-month period from September 20, 2023, to June 19, 2024. The police department manages helicopter operations. When inquired about the frequency of its use over the past year, the police headquarters stated that the helicopter is used monthly, adhering to the fixed time limit.
The helicopter was intended for use as an air ambulance and for emergency relief work. Despite this, there are no reports indicating that it was deployed for relief efforts during the Wayanad landslides. The response also reveals that the helicopter, which can carry up to eleven people, including the pilot, is primarily used for public purposes, though specific details about these public needs have not been provided.
The reply confirms that the helicopter's service is utilized monthly according to the allotted flight hours. Efforts are currently underway to renew the contract and continue leasing the helicopter.
Earlier, during the Covid crisis in 2020, the Kerala government faced strong objections when it first hired a helicopter from Pawan Hans Company at a cost of Rs 22.21 crore. The agreement was not renewed following severe criticism over the perceived lack of significant benefits from the rental.
After a hiatus of two and a half years, the decision to lease the helicopter again in 2023 sparked widespread criticism once more. The opposition criticized the decision to hire the helicopter amid the ongoing economic crisis.
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