Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 21: The Minister of State for Revenue Sunil Kumar Sharma has reportedly been extensively using a chopper for visiting far flung area of his constituency Kishtwar, for the last three days, raising the question that who would foot the whopping bill.
Sources informed Early Times that for the last three days, MOS Revenue Sunil Kumar Sharma, has been using a chopper, to visit far flung areas of his home constituency including Marwah, Dacchan and Warwan.
"As per the information given by Signal Center Kishtwar, Sunil Kumar Sharma was in Dacchan on Monday and today, he is staying in Dacchan", the police personnel in Police Control Room Kishtwar informed Early Times over phone.
The Minister is reportedly using the chopper of Utair India company, which had won tenders for providing chopper service for annual Machail pilgrimage, which is scheduled to start on August 1 and conclude on August 31.
A senior official in Deputy Commissioner Office Kishtwar, who was not authorized to speak with media, informed that Utair India had won the tenders for providing chopper service for Machail pilgrimage and two choppers would remain available with one spare chopper for emergency.
He further informed that Hud Mata pilgrimage, started on July 20, for which MOS Revenue Sunil Kumar Sharma, had visited Dacchan on chopper to inaugurate the pilgrimage. On being asked, who would pay the bills, he feigned ignorance.
Sources in Kishtwar said that the MLA had undertaken mass contact program in the veil of inauguration of Hud Mata Yatra and was using the chopper service for political motive.
"If the chopper bills are paid from government exchequer, then nearly Rs. 20 Lakh will be charged by company for each day and thus amounting to 60 Lakhs for three days. In case of other preposition, the undue largesse of the aviation company has also come under scanner.
He further said that there were numerous far flung areas in several districts of state and if chopper would be made available to all, it would bleed state exchequer profusely.
Deputy Commissioner was not available for comments, while Additional Development Commissioner Avtar Singh Chib refused a comment.
Pertinently, in the marriage ceremony of MOS Revenue, Sunil Kumar Sharma, the Ministers of coalition government had also used f chopper and had evoked strong criticism. |
