Private corporates owe IAF over Rs 26 lakh: Arun Jaitley

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has to recover dues amounting to over Rs 26 lakh from private sector corporates for offering its flights to them for various purposes, Lok Sabha was informed today.

"An amount of Rs 26,21,500 is due to the IAF from corporates (other than Public Sector Undertakings) for offering the flights for various purposes," Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said in a written reply.

Bills for airlift are raised by the force from time to time and necessary action is taken thereon, he said.

To a query on the bird hits in the last three years, the Minister said there have 551 such incidents in that period.

"One accident due to bird-hit has also occurred during 2014-15 in which apart from loss of aircraft, one defence personnel also lost his life," he said.

Asked about the ongoing CBI inquiry against corruption allegations in the VVIP chopper deal, Jaitley said a preliminary enquiry was registered against former IAF Chief SP Tyagi and 14 other persons and firms by the CBI.

On health scheme for exservicemen, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said a few complaints regarding delays in payment of private hospitals have been received.

"Complaints received from time to time regarding irregularities in functioning of the ECHS are looked into for appropriate action," he said.