IAF transported 604 tonnes currency notes post demonetisation: Subhash Bhamre

NEW DELHI: A total of 604 tonnes of currency notes was transported by the Indian Air Force in 33 sorties across the country after the government's decision to demonetise high-value notes last year.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, giving the details in Rajya Sabha, said that the government had tasked IAF to transport the currency notes and accordingly it carried out the exercise.

He said no IAF aircraft flew abroad for the purpose and charges for transporting the currency notes to various parts of the country are assessed and realised from agencies concerned.

To a separate question, he said the government has accepted the recommendation of an expert group to set up an aerospace university.

A detailed project report on establishing the university has already been approved by the state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

On death of a jawan, who had figured in a sting operation by a news website criticising the 'sahayak' system, Bhamre said as per the post mortem report the cause of death is "asphyxia due to hanging".

The body of Roy Mathew, who was from Kerala, was found hanging in unoccupied quarters in Maharastra's Devlali cantonment earlier this month.

Replying to another query, Bhamre said complaints of illegal transfer of defence land in cantonment areas were received from time to time and appropriate action was taken.

He said defence land across the country has been surveyed by Defence Estates Officers to prevent illegal occupation.