Review Pawan Hans MoU, Aapsu to govt

Itanagar: All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (Aapsu) has asked the state government to review the MoU it had signed with Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL) to provide chopper services in Arunachal Pradesh. Citing the recent Tawang crash, Aapsu president Takam Tatung asked the government to go in for a global tender to select the best company to operate in the state.
"As per our information, the state government had written to the chief managing director (CMD) of PHHL twice for proper maintenance and inspection of the MI-172 helicopter last year. Despite repeated requests, the company did not take up proper safety measures and the negligence claimed 17 precious lives at Tawang. The blame for this accident squarely lies on PHHL," Tatung said.
Aapsu also alleged that the department of civil aviation in Arunachal Pradesh is being run without any technical experts.
"Also, many people who were not even qualified to be in this department have been wrongfully appointed by the state government. They lack enough knowledge and conviction to advise the civil aviation department and this is leading to gross mistakes, thereby causing accidents," he added.
The union also took a dig at Hare Krishna Paliwal, principal secretary, power and coordination, New Delhi for "misguiding" the state government on the Pawan Hans issue.
Claiming it was Paliwal who had advised the state government to sign the MoU with PHHL, Aapsu said the government should stop aking advice from such officers.
29/04/11 Pratap John/Gulf Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2011