Bengaluru, September 1: The Karnataka state government has resolved to engage helicopter and aircraft services through an annual contract for official purposes. This decision was made during a meeting held at Vidhana Soudha, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Previously, helicopters and special aircraft were hired on an hourly basis for government functions, costing approximately ₹28 crore annually.
This system often led to delays or unavailability of services, causing officials to cut short meetings or events to adhere to schedules. In some instances, programs were abruptly concluded due to these constraints.To address these issues, the government has opted for an annual contract system, expecting it to ensure timely availability of helicopter and aircraft services. A tender process has been initiated, inviting qualified agencies to participate.The meeting was attended by ministers KJ George, Bhyrathi Suresh, and other officials. Speaking to the media afterward, DK Shivakumar noted that the issue of helicopter and aircraft rentals had been pending for some time.
He mentioned that the Chief Minister had entrusted him with this responsibility and instructed him to hold discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).“We will review the situation across the country before calling for tenders. There will be no political interference in this process,” Shivakumar clarified.The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, state ministers, and senior IAS officers will utilize these services for official duties. The government believes this new system will significantly improve their operational efficiency.