Kerala to hire helicopter

Kochi: Despite Kerala reeling under severe financial crises, the Left government has resolved to hire helicopters for the state’s use, media reports said.
The government is going to enter into an agreement with a private aircraft company to hire helicopters at an exorbitant rate. A decision in this regard was taken by the cabinet in March this year, the reports said.
The cost of hiring the helicopter for 20 hours is Rs 80 lakh per month. The government would have to pay Rs 90,000 per hour if the usage of the copter exceeded 20 hours, the reports said.
The final deal for a period of three years will be signed with Chipson Aviation next week.
Flaying Chief Minister, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan described the decision as hypocritical as the Chief Minister preached one thing and practiced the other.
At a time when the government was struggling to find money for daily expenses, the plan to hire a helicopter for the Chief Minister’s trip at a monthly cost of Rs 80 lakh is condemnable, he said.
Kerala’s financial situation is so bad that even cheques worth Rs 5 lakh are not cleared in state treasuries, he said.