The government to purchase a new helicopter and CM has given the green signal
Special Judge V K Gupta sent Khaitan to 11 days judicial remand as ED submitted that it is still collecting evidence in the case and the probe is at a crucial stage
Hyderabad: Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who promised to get into fast track after Dasara, plans to buy a new helicopter. The Telangana government is scouting for a new twin-engine helicopter for the official use of the Chief Minister and other VVIPs.
Mr Rao, like his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu, does not have a government-owned helicopter. Sources say the government has decided to purchase a new helicopter and the Telangana Chief Minister has given the green signal.
Telangana state Chief Secretary Dr Rajiv Sharma has been entrusted with the responsibility of sourcing the new helicopter. The government is scouting for multi-turbine helicopter and planning to invite quotations from reputed companies and dealers.
At present, Mr Rao is using private helicopters on hire for official travels and party use. Undivided Andhra Pradesh had two helicopters, both of which perished in accidents.
The Bell 430 helicopter carrying the then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy crashed in bad weather near Rudrakonda hill near Kurnool killing him and others on board on September 2, 2009.
While the Agusta Westland helicopter met with a freak fire mishap on December 19, 2002 at Begumpet airport. The helicopter was purchased for Rs 68 crore in 2008. The helicopter was insured and the state received the insured amount, it is learnt. Six trainer aircrafts were also destroyed in a major fire that broke out in the hangar.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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