Bhopal: Sitting on a whopping debt pile of Rs 1.13 lakh crore, the Madhya Pradesh government has confirmed to buy a new plane for chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 100 crore.
The existing carrier, a seven-seater Super King Air Beechcraft-200, was purchased in 2002, from an American company Raytheon Aircraft?,? for Rs 23 crore?. On January 31, 2015, this aircraft recorded successful flights of 7314 hours and 30 minutes.
''Now it's time to get new wings for the state as the current career needs to be grounded soon after completing the maximum recommended lifespan'', justified Narottam Mishra, spokesperson of M.P. government. He said state cabinet has approved the purchase and formed a technical committee to select the suitable career as early as possible. ''We have earmarked Rs 80 crore for the new turbo jet aircraft'', he added.
As per official sources, the current B-200 aircraft has not yet completed its lifespan of 15 years, which in normal case is recommended by aviation experts. Moreover, for every new purchase a five per cent commission is to be paid to the agency who acts as an intermediary. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India and Public Account Committee is believed to be keeping an eye on the purchase procedure.
04/08/15 Times of India
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The existing carrier, a seven-seater Super King Air Beechcraft-200, was purchased in 2002, from an American company Raytheon Aircraft?,? for Rs 23 crore?. On January 31, 2015, this aircraft recorded successful flights of 7314 hours and 30 minutes.
''Now it's time to get new wings for the state as the current career needs to be grounded soon after completing the maximum recommended lifespan'', justified Narottam Mishra, spokesperson of M.P. government. He said state cabinet has approved the purchase and formed a technical committee to select the suitable career as early as possible. ''We have earmarked Rs 80 crore for the new turbo jet aircraft'', he added.
As per official sources, the current B-200 aircraft has not yet completed its lifespan of 15 years, which in normal case is recommended by aviation experts. Moreover, for every new purchase a five per cent commission is to be paid to the agency who acts as an intermediary. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India and Public Account Committee is believed to be keeping an eye on the purchase procedure.
04/08/15 Times of India
