Rs 11.15 cr spent on aircraft, choppers in last 3 yrs: Omar

Jammu, Mar 27: The Jammu and Kashmir government has spent Rs 11.15 crore on operation of its aircraft and choppers in the state during the last three years, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today.

Replying to a cut motion moved by JKNPP member Harshdev Singh in the Legislative Assembly, Omar said that Rs 11.15 crore has been incurred on operation of aircraft and helicopters in the state during the last three years.

The chief minister said that Rs 3.43 crore have been spent on maintenance, inspection, labour charges, landing and parking charges, insurance of aircraft and choppers and fuel charges during 2009-10.

Similarly, in 2010-11, government spent Rs 4.40 crore on the operation of these aircraft and choppers besides Rs 3.31 crore were spent in 2011-12 upto March 15 this year, he said.

The state government has one King Air-350 aircraft and two helicopters Bell-407 and Augusta-109E, he said, adding that these aircraft and choppers are meant to facilitate the movement of dignitaries.

The chief minister authorises its use for VVIPs like visiting Union ministers, presiding officers of Legislature, ministerial colleagues and senior officers of central and state governments.

PTI