Govt spent Rs 16.56 cr on planes for Modi:Cong

The Opposition for the first time presented records of Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s journies in private charter plane in the last five years with proof during the budget discussion in the Gujarat Assembly on March 12.
Senior Leader of Opposition, Arjun Modhwadia said, “The state government has paid Rs 16.56 crore as rent to private plane companies between 2003 to 2007.”
He also said that no chief minister in the past had spent so much on travel. “The government can buy a helicopter with this amount. The government already owns one chopper and one plane.
Yet, it spent such a huge amount to charter planes.”
The Congressman said, “In all, Modi has used aircraft of 18 companies including Essar Shipping Ltd, Adani Export Ltd and Reliance Industries Ltd. Poonawala Aviation Pvt Ltd, Asia Aviation Limited and A R Aviation Limited are also part of the list.”
The planes were hired for trips within India. Modi has also chartered aircraft to fly to foreign countries.
Providing more details, he said, “In 2003, Modi travelled five times and spent Rs 1.25 crore. In 2004, the government spent Rs 3.6 crore on 16 trips. He flew 21 times in 2005, spending Rs 3.48 crore.
In 2006, he charted a plane 24 times and spent Rs 4.99 crore. He flew 34 times between January and May 2007, spending Rs 3.23 crore on a trip.
14/03/10 Dilip Patel/ Mirror

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Mar 2010