By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 26: The state government’s decision to procure a helicopter for the transportation of VIPs/VVIPs has attracted flak.
Many pointed out that Meghalaya, India’s second-poorest state, can ill-afford such a luxury.
Former MLA George Lyngdoh termed the move as an example of crony capitalism at the cost of the people.
“Perhaps the roads have become too congested and dilapidated for our VIPs,” he said, adding there is no justification for a small debt-ridden state like Meghalaya to get a chopper. “The youths are unemployed, the drug menace is alarming, and businesses are running at a loss but no one seems bothered,” he said. Agnes Kharshiing, the president of the Civil Society Women’s Organisation said implementing the decision would be a gross misuse of public funds.
“When public servants become VIPs after winning, they misuse public money and give the people bad roads. VIP culture should be banned,” she said.
The NPP-led MDA government is seeking to lease a helicopter to transport VIPs and VVIPs within the state and beyond. The government has sought bids for the wet lease of a twin-engine helicopter with a seating capacity of five to six people excluding the crew.
“The state is so large, poverty so widespread and our political leaders so out of touch with reality that they think buying a helicopter would improve the well-being of everyone,” retired bureaucrat Toki Blah said.
Many social media users also slammed the government’s move, which they said would soon make Meghalaya the poorest state in the country.
Some said the political leaders and officials should bear the expenditure on the helicopter and not touch the public money.
“We are stuck in traffic and moving on roads filled with potholes because of the incompetent and corrupt government with no vision,” a social media user wrote.