Mumbai: Nearly two years after the Maharashtra government's business jet was grounded for want of trained pilots, the state has engaged an expat at Rs 15.5 lakh per month. Pay apart, the expert pilot will also be provided accommodation in south Mumbai and a car.
The government acquired a 9-seater Cessna citation XLS for Rs 52 crore in 2008. "There was no other alternative. We have to have pilots with necessary qualification for the state's plane," said Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya.
Citing rules of aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the top official said a pilot with a minimum 150-hour experience can only fly the Cessna, which is used to ferry the chief minister, Governor and state guests.
According to officials, chief pilot of the business jet, K H Buhariwala, suddenly quit in May 2014, forcing authorities to ground the aircraft. While the state later appointed Captain Avtar Singh as pilot in-charge, he could not fly the plane due to inadequate experience.
25/03/16 Yogesh Naik/Mumbai Mirror
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The government acquired a 9-seater Cessna citation XLS for Rs 52 crore in 2008. "There was no other alternative. We have to have pilots with necessary qualification for the state's plane," said Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya.
Citing rules of aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the top official said a pilot with a minimum 150-hour experience can only fly the Cessna, which is used to ferry the chief minister, Governor and state guests.
According to officials, chief pilot of the business jet, K H Buhariwala, suddenly quit in May 2014, forcing authorities to ground the aircraft. While the state later appointed Captain Avtar Singh as pilot in-charge, he could not fly the plane due to inadequate experience.
25/03/16 Yogesh Naik/Mumbai Mirror
