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House Committee to inquire Bihar’s civil aviation store

Patna: A House Committee would investigate the inventory of components needed to maintain aircraft in Bihar’s civil aviation store which allegedly was not verified for the past several years.

In the Assembly on Monday, Opposition RJD and LJP MLAs questioned Bihar government regarding the “non-verification”. State government also accepted the allegation was true.

It prompted Speaker Udai Narain Choudhary to accept Opposition’s demand for setting up a House Committee.

Replying to a short-notice question of Maheshwar Singh (LJP), State Energy Minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav insisted that the physical verification of the store were not done for the absence of Chief Engineer.

“We have hired one to do the job and submit inventories,” he told the House.

Mr. Yadav’s admission that no annual or half-yearly physical verifications of the civil aviation store since 1989 made Mr. Singh furious.

“It reflects rampant irregularities and misuse of funds worth crores of rupees allotted by the State Government to buy components and maintain aircraft and helicopters,” Mr. Singh charged.

He also urged the Speaker to constitute a House Committee to investigate the matter.

The recent crash-landing of a State aircraft at Jayaprakash Narain International Airport here was being investigated by Director General of Civil Aviation, the minister said.

Preliminary findings suggest human error to be behind the accident, Mr. Yadav said.

The LJP legislator demanded verification of the store was required on half-yearly basis and “it is a matter of concern that the State Government is trying to cover up the irregularities”.

“Can’t a State run without a king?” Mr. Singh asked referring to the absence of Chief Engineer. “Subordinate engineers should have deputed to verify the stock,” he said.

He threatened to walk out of Assembly to press for his demand.

Soon senior RJD MLA and former minister Jagdanand Singh defended the LJP MLA and suggested the State Government agree to the demand for setting up of a House panel.

Mr. Yadav, however, said though the store was being verified and a report on the details of components meant for aircraft maintenance was awaited, the State Government had no objection to a House Panel probing it.

The Speaker then ruled that a House panel would inquire into the matter. -- PTI

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House Committee to inquire Bihar’s civil aviation store

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