Maha CM to get Rs 67 crore jet

Mumbai: Vilasrao Deshmukh is all set to be the first CM in the country to have a jet aircraft at his disposal. The ministry of civil aviation recently approved the state government's proposal to import a Cessna Citation XLS aircraft, which will cost the government Rs 52 crore. If the tax component is included, the amount swells by an additional Rs 14-15 crore.
"The aircraft acquisitions committee gave the import permission in the last week of June. The Maharashtra government had asked for an import permit under the private category, which attracts a duty of about 26%. Since the aircraft will be registered as a private one, the government cannot give it out on hire or for monetary compensation.
According to the proposal, the aircraft will be used for VIPs and state guests," said a source from the ministry.
"The aircraft should be coming in by the end of the year," said Capt Sanjay Karve, director, aviation, government of Maharashtra. The government's fleet currently comprises a B 300 and a Dauphin N 3 helicopter. It has two pilots from the Indian Air Force on deputation along with two more pilots dedicated to the fleet. "There is a clause under which the state government can seek a waiver on tax and we will approach the customs department for it," Capt Karve added. Aviation sources said the government could easily get the tax waiver.
14/07/08 Manju V/Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jul 2008