Hyderabad: The AP government is reconsidering the proposal to buy a new helicopter after discovering that its Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had spent Rs 15 crore over the last eight months to fly. AP finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu discussed the issue with finance department officials. The AP CM was using private helicopters and chartered flights after assuming office on June 8, 2014. Undivided AP state had an Augusta Westland helicopter, that was destroyed in a fire accident at Begumpet airport in December 2012. All the states have their own helicopters to ferry CMs to the districts.
 
N. Kiran Kumar Reddy when he was Chief Minister for Undivided AP state planned to buy a new helicopter. He had appointed a committee also on this issue, but later dropped the idea. All the states in the country have their own helicopters to ferry the CMs in the districts. CM Naidu has been using private helicopters since he became the Chief Minister as the state has no helicopter of its own. Recently the finance department received the file to sanction of Rs 15 crore for copter charges used by CM Naidu.
 
When the matter came to the Finance Minister Yanamala’s notice he asked the finance officials to discuss the issue. Yanamala has opined that instead of paying crores of rupees to private companies it would be better for the state government to purchase a new helicopter. The finance officials also supported the decision. Finance officials told the finance minister Yanamala to buy a new helicopter and that would require Rs 70 crore. Sources said after discussing with CM Naidu the government will decide on the size of the helicopter which could be a six seater or a 15 seater.

Source: DC