‘Pinarayi has also travelled in private aircraft; we never asked their names then’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan responded to the controversy on travelling to Malappuram in a chartered flight to assess the rain ravages. He said an acquaintance had arranged the flight for him and questioned what was wrong with that. Pinarayi Vijayan had also travelled on private aircraft when he was the chief minister, said Satheesan while addressing the press after the cabinet meeting.

‘I’ve travelled by air. I have not spent even a single rupee on any of my air or helicopter journeys so far. Under the agreement made by the previous government, Rs 80 lakh has to be paid every month regardless of whether the helicopter is used or not. That agreement ended on September 19. Before that agreement, I used the helicopter twice, but after this government came to power, not a single rupee has been spent on my travel.

Six people had lost their lives in a major disaster that happened in Malappuram. An acquaintance had arranged a flight for me to go there on that day. What is wrong with that? I saw CPM state secretary M V Govindan’s statement on that. He said that he wanted to know who had arranged the flight.

When Pinarayi Vijayan was the chief minister, he too had travelled in private aircraft in Kerala. Did he reveal the names of those who arranged them? This flight was arranged by a Malayali for me to travel there and return. There is no need to say who paid for it. Why dragging their name into this? I will travel again if the need arises. Previous chief ministers have also travelled in private aircrafts in a similar manner. I did not have to do anything for them in return simply because they arranged an aircraft for me. Why is so much news about the ministers travelling abroad? They are travelling at their own expenses.

The government will provide financial assistance of Rs 8 lakh to the families of those dead in the rain-related disaster. Road accidents are increasing in Kerala, and the government is launching a strong campaign to reduce them. Kerala is entering its 70th year after its formation. The government has decided to make the Kerala Formation Day celebrations a major event. The name of the department of senior citizens has also been changed from the department of elderly affairs to the department for senior citizens.

The cabinet has decided to dissolve the Loka Kerala Sabha. A more effective alternative mechanism will be created in its place. The Loka Kerala Sabha is a huge extravagance and that is why it is being dissolved. However, an alternative mechanism will be introduced to take forward the issues of expatriate Keralites more effectively.

Satheesan also said that the investigation into the monthly payoff case was initiated only after receiving legal advice on the letter given by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The investigation is a legal obligation. The Kerala Police have no choice but to investigate. This was not done to target anyone. The law will take its own course, said V D Satheesan.