With less than two months are left for the assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, YSR Congress party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to acquire two brand new helicopters for his tours.
The decision was taken in the wake of intelligence inputs from the state police that Jagan is facing specific threat from Maoists, terrorists, fundamentalist elements and general threat from organised criminal gangs and anti-social elements.
A GO to this effect was issued on Thursday. It said the security arrangements of the chief minister, who is a Z+ category protected, needs to be handled sensitively. At present, the Civil Aviation Corporation of AP is utilizing the services of Bell 412 aircraft which was bought in 2010.
“Considering the increased usage of aircraft in various tour programmes of the chief minister, long distance covered and his safety requirements, the current aircraft may be replaced with a new/alternative aircraft of better airworthiness,” the GO said.
Based on the recommendations of a committee constituted to study the security aspects of Jagan, it was proposed to procure two brand new twin-engine helicopters with less than two years age to meet the flying commitments of the chief minister and other VVIPs.
Following an e-tender notification and subsequent evaluation of technical bids, the government selected Global Vectra Helicopters, who quoted Rs.1,91,75,000 per month on lease. They will be placed one at Vijayawada and another at Visakhapatnam.
