SRINAGAR: Travel by VIP’s in state aircraft cost the exchequer nearly Rs. 12 crore (120 million rupees) in the last three years.
“The expenditure incurred on the state aircraft and helicopters since 2010 has been Rs. 1,196.45 lakh,” the chief minister Omar Abdullah told the legislative assembly in Jammu on Tuesday.
He said the expenditure in 2010-2011 was Rs. 440.55 lakh, while it was Rs. 360.19 lakh in 2011-12 and Rs. 395.71 lakh in 2012-13 upto February end. On an average the expenditure is Rs 400 lakh (40 million rupees) each year.
It included fuel charges, insurance of the helicopters and aircraft besides landing, parking and maintenance costs.
The Jammu and Kashmir state has one King Air-350 plane and two helicopters – Bell 407 and Augusta 109E models.
The aircraft facilitate air travel of dignitaries, governor and the chief minister besides ministers and others.
