How two fixed-wing aircrafts have become headache for AAP government in Punjab? Check details!
The idea to hire a fixed-wing aircraft for a year has become a street bone for the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. Two months after the AAP government in Punjab invited tenders to hire a fixed-wing aircraft, it received a lukewarm response with only two bids from sister companies.
According to the Indian Express report, the government is planning to advertise the tenders again. “We had floated tenders and received two bids in separate envelopes. When we checked about the directors of the companies, it turned out that they were the same people. Hence, we are not going ahead with the bids. We need at least one more bidder to go ahead,” a government official was quoted in an IE report.
Why Bhagwant Mann-led government require two fixed-wing aircraft?
Earlier, in October, the Civil Aviation Department had floated a tender saying it wishes to hire an assault Falcon 2000 fixed-wing aircraft from a well-established and financially sound air charter service provider for a period of one year from the date of signing of an agreement.
Reports have confirmed the government wanted an aircraft which could seat eight to ten people and was faster. The chopper it has was claimed to be slower and requires refuelling to travel long distances. The government also informed that the Governor needs to use the aircraft which should not be risky during inclement weather.
The floated tender needs to have been positioned and operated from Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL).
Controversy surrounding the matter:
The matter has become a political issue in Punjab as the state is facing a financial crunch and especially in light of the fact that the Aam Aadmi Party has been promising that it would not use choppers to travel considering the fiscal condition of the debt-ridden state.
After APP had created a narrative that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal travels by road, Congress-led Amrinder Singh government promised in its pre-poll manifesto that it would not use the chopper.
While Singh started using it on fewer occasions, his successor Charanjit Singh Channi used the chopper extensively. Once, he even flew in the chopper from his residence to reach Chandigarh airport.
The AAP has also stirred controversy with the state government chopper being used to fly to other states like election-bound Himachal Pradesh for party activities.
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