Helicopter to fly CM comes at Rs 80 lakhs per month rent; Will reach capital next week

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has decided to charter a helicopter for the Chief Minister despite the state's serious financial crisis. The decision has been taken to formally enter into a lease agreement with a private company for a monthly rent of Rs 80 lakh. The helicopter will reach the capital within two weeks.

The helicopter was hired for the first time in 2020. It was not renewed when it expired after the government was criticised for indulging in unsolicited luxury. It is after two and a half years that the helicopter arrives for the Chief Minister again. In this regard, a decision was taken in the assembly meeting last March.

The helicopter is rented out by a Delhi-based private company Chipsan Aviation. The rent for flying 20 hours is Rs 80 lakhs. If the copter flies more than that Rs 90,000 must be paid additionaly per hour. It can accommodate 11 people including the pilot.

The explanation is that the helicopter is being purchased for the police, such as Maoist surveillance and operations in disaster areas, but it will mainly be used for the Chief Minister's travels. The government is moving to deliver the copter to Thiruvananthapuram in the first week of next month.