CM Satheesan justifies chartered flight, private cars for ministers

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday said his government’s decisions on the CMRL-Exalogic probe, his use of a helicopter and a chartered aircraft, ministers’ foreign trips and the use of private vehicles were aimed at curbing wasteful spending and plugging leakages in the state exchequer.

Addressing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Satheesan rejected suggestions of undue haste in ordering a preliminary inquiry into the CMRL-Exalogic case involving former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and son-in-law P.A. Mohammed Riyas.

The government had first handed the Enforcement Directorate report to the State Police Chief and obtained legal opinions before directing the police to act in line with Supreme Court guidelines, he said.

“We gave the ED report to the State Police Chief and sought legal opinions. After receiving the legal opinion, the police had a duty to proceed in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines. Law will take its own course. That is all we have done,” the CM said.

A Crime Branch team is expected to conduct the preliminary inquiry.

On the controversy over his air travel, Satheesan said the helicopter he used was part of a three-year agreement signed by the previous LDF government at a monthly cost of Rs 80 lakh.

“I used it according to the agreement.” The contract has now expired and we have decided not to extend it, he said.

Defending his decision to use a chartered aircraft to reach rain-hit Malappuram, where six people died in a landslip, the CM said a friend had offered the aircraft.

“I have used it, and I will use it again,” he said, adding that private aircraft were used by chief ministers across the country.

He noted that former Chief Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan and Oommen Chandy had also used private aircraft, saying those who own aircraft in Kerala were people who would not seek favours in return for such assistance.

On Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji using a friend’s Range Rover, Satheesan said the minister’s official vehicle was around a decade old and frequently broke down, prompting him to use his friend’s car.

Defending ministers travelling abroad, the CM said he had asked them to go and see what is happening in the world and understand developments that could benefit Kerala.

He said there were around 1,000 organisations of Keralites in the UAE alone and that, after a decade, the return of a UDF government had prompted diaspora organisations to invite ministers and arrange their tickets.

Satheesan said he had travelled extensively to the Middle East as Leader of Opposition without using state funds.

He also highlighted efforts to cut government expenditure, saying ministers were continuing to use old official vehicles instead of purchasing new ones.

“I am perhaps the only Chief Minister who travels alone to Delhi,” he said, adding that he had declined additional police security there because Kerala Police personnel were already stationed in Delhi.

“Our aim is to prevent wasteful expenditure and plug leakages from the state exchequer,” the CM said.

Satheesan asked the media to exercise restraint when posing questions.

Appealing to TV cameras, he said, “I am speaking to the people that I am unable to hear any question as 12 journalists are asking their questions at the same time. Please maintain restraint at least when I reply. Have you ever behaved like this in front of Pinarayi Vijayan?” he said, ending his briefing before walking away.

(Inputs from IANS)