GUWAHATI: The Assam government spent over Rs 58 crore on arranging helicopter rides for the travel of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his ministerial colleagues and other dignitaries between May 2021 and January 2024.
Replying to a set of questions from Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, who is the president of Raijor Dal, Consumer Affairs Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass told the Assembly on Tuesday that an expenditure of Rs 58,23,07,104 was incurred as “airlifting/helicopter” charges for Sarma, ministers and other dignitaries.
Giving break-ups, he said Rs 10.2 crore was spent in 2021-22 (May 10 to December 31), Rs 34.01 crore in 2022-23 and Rs 14.02 crore in 2023-24 (till January 31, 2024).
Sarma took over as the CM on May 10, 2021 after the BJP retained power in Assam.
Dass added that the CM did not spend money from the state exchequer on flights for personal use or for non-government work and activities of the party he represents.
Later, the Sivasagar MLA told journalists the Assam government spent Rs 5,85,233 each day for travel by helicopter.
Gogoi slammed the government for not sharing the minute details and specific information pertaining to the helicopter rides despite requesting for the information through the queries.
Gogoi stated that he wanted information on the places Sarma visited with dates, purposes and money spent on each ride.
“It seems CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has had the highest number of helicopter rides among all CMs of Assam. He misused public funds by hiring helicopters for personal use,” the activist-turned-politician alleged.
“From visiting places, attending marriages, campaigning to even giving a ride to his nephews in chartered planes and helicopters, the CM has enjoyed and is still enjoying public money,” Gogoi further alleged.
He said nowhere in the minister’s reply was it mentioned that Sarma spent from his pocket to pay the fare of any of his helicopter rides. He urged the people of the state to take note of the issue and decide accordingly.