Chipsan Aviation foots Rs 19.88 lakh bill for CM’s Malappuram flight

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reports say Chipsan Aviation, a helicopter contracting company, funded the flight taken by Chief Minister V D Satheesan to assess the flood damages in Malappuram. Chipsan has confirmed the invoice of it.

The aircraft used for the journey belonged to Kelachandra Aviation, which is owned by the family of Karnataka minister and Congress leader K J George.

The invoice issued by Kelachandra Aviation to Chipsan shows a total expense of Rs 19,88,595. The flight charge was Rs 16,85,250, while 18% GST amounted to Rs 3,03,345. The total invoice came to nearly Rs 19 lakh including the GST.

The aircraft arrived in Thiruvananthapuram for the chief minister from Jindal Airport near Bellary in Karnataka. The chief minister then used the aircraft to travel to Kozhikode and back. He used the aircraft for a total of nine hours.

Chipsan has stated that the chief minister’s flight should not be linked to its helicopter contract and would provide an aircraft again if required.