Govt To Hire Helicopter On Contract Basis

DEPUTY Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Monday that the state government has decided to hire a chopper on a contract basis for ministers and other VVIPs.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru

Addressing reporters here, he said that a proposal in this regard has been pending before the government for several years. CM Siddaramaiah had asked him to take a decision on inviting tenders for the same. "I have directed the officials to look into the system in this regard in other states," he added. Sources in the government said helicopters and special jets are now being hired on an hourly basis. At the meeting, it was decided to invite tenders to hire a chopper on a contract basis instead of hourly basis, they added.

At present, the government rents helicopters and planes at a cost of Rs 1 lakh per hour for ministers to tour the state. For Delhi visits, they mostly use commercial flights. The government now wants their travel to be more comfortable.