Kerala Government relaxes economy orders for settling helicopter bill

Representational image only. File

The Finance Department has relaxed the economy orders in force in Kerala to settle the bill of the helicopter hired by the State Government.

The March 6 order issued by the Department pertains to the payment of ₹2.40 crore towards the wet lease of the helicopter from Chipsan Aviation Private Limited for the period from October 20, 2024, to January 19, 2025.

The order also notes that the “economy orders” in force in the State have been relaxed for authorising this “additional expenditure.”

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Meanwhile, the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) had raised the matter of the helicopter expenses in the State Legislative Assembly on March 3 through an unstarred question. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office is yet to provide a reply.

On earlier occasions, the Opposition had sharply criticised the Chief Minister for the huge expenditures incurred on the helicopter rent.