Sai Government Spent Rs 145.61 Crore in 1.5 Years, Total 177 Flights in 4 Years
Raipur:
The Chhattisgarh government has spent a staggering Rs 249.13 crore on helicopter rentals over the past four years. This expenditure was revealed during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Congress MLA Indra Sao raised the issue, seeking clarification from the government. However, Deputy CM Sao was not present in the House. In a written response, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai informed that Rs 249.13 crore had been spent on helicopter services from 2021 to January 2025, with 177 flights operated during this period.
This expenditure was incurred for government purposes, with payments made to Gurgaon-based Dhillon Aviation Private Limited and Air King Charter Private Limited for renting helicopters.
Expenditure Breakdown:
The spending includes the last two years of the Congress government and the first 1.5 years of the BJP government:
- Congress Government (2021-2023): Rs 103.52 crore
- BJP Government (2023 – January 2025): Rs 145.61 crore
- Total: Rs 249.13 crore
Notably, the BJP government spent Rs 145.61 crore in just 1.5 years, exceeding the Congress government’s expenditure over two years.
State-Owned Aircraft:
The government already owns a double-engine aircraft, King Air B-200 (VT-CTG), purchased in 2006-07 and available since December 2006. However, the state regularly rents helicopters through tenders for official purposes.
BJP’s Justification for Increased Expenses:
The BJP government’s helicopter expenses are significantly higher than the previous administration’s. Defending this expenditure, BJP spokesperson Kedar Gupta stated that the Sai government is working at a rapid pace and has strong public support.
He emphasized that public outreach programs are being conducted across the state, necessitating frequent helicopter use. According to him, this expenditure is justified and more productive compared to the previous Bhupesh government.
