Parkash Singh Badal’s Rs 100 crore plan for exclusive air fleet

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, whose chopper-hopping across the state had forced the government to use the services of as many as three hired helicopter companies last year — costing the state exchequer almost Rs 15 crore annually — have now drawn up a plan for an exclusive air fleet for their cabinet worth Rs 100 crore.

The fleet will have two twin-engine 8-seater/6-seater helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft. A state civil aviation official said a presentation by representatives from helicopter companies, including the US-based Bell, French-German conglomerate Eurocopter and Italian group Agusta Westland was made before Sukhbir Badal in March and April.

"The plan to have a state chopper and aircraft has been in the pipeline for long. The companies came and made bids. It has nothing to do with the historic triumph in the Assembly polls," said civil aviation secretary Vishwajeet Khanna. He, however refused to comment on the sum being doled out at a time when the state's finances were in a bad shape. This includes a fiscal deficit of Rs 8,923 crore and revenue deficit of Rs 3,123 crore.

"The cost of hiring the choppers and aircraft washigh. We already have a huge debt to settle with the companies," said a state civil aviation official on condition of anonymity. "It's a one time cost but with the deputy CM's liking for Italian Agusta Westland brand, the purchase may go beyond Rs 150 crore," he added.

This comes at a time when finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, in last week's Budget, brandished the state's austerity measures, including a ban on buying new vehicles.