Maha gov denied nod to travel in state plane
The Maharashtra government on Thursday denied the permission to use government aircraft for governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s official visit to Uttarakhand. Mr Koshyari was informed about the lack of government clearance after he boarded the aircraft. Later he travelled in a private aircraft. The incident sparked political controversy as the move was seen as the government’s reaction to the governor’s indecision on 12 MLC candidates recommended by the government.
However, the government held officials of the governor’s office responsible for the incident and said that the action will be taken against erring officials who failed to inform the governor about the state’s non-clearance. Meanwhile, the sources in Raj Bhavan said that the permission to use the aircraft for Mr Koshyari was sought nine days in advance, but there was no response from the government. “Is it not the duty of the government to respond to the Governor office’s proposal?” he asked.
An official statement issued b Raj Bhavan said, “Governor of Maharashtra and Goa Bhagat Singh Koshyari is scheduled to preside over the official programme of the Valedictory Function of the 122nd Induction Training Programme of IAS officers at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration at Mussoorie, Uttarakhand at 10.00 am on Friday, 12 February 2021. In this connection, the Governor was scheduled to depart from CSIM Airport Mumbai for Dehradun at 10.00 am on Thursday 11th February 2021.”
It also said that in preparation of the visit, the Governor’s Secretariat had written to the government of Maharashtra authorities seeking permission for the use of Government Aircraft on 2nd February 2021. The office of the chief minister was also informed.
“Today, on 11th February 2021, the Governor reached the CSIM Airport at 10.00 am and boarded the government plane. However, the Governor was informed that the permission for the use of Government Aircraft had not been received,” the statement said.
Post this, as per the governor’s direction, tickets for Dehradun were booked on a commercial aircraft leaving Mumbai at 12.15 pm. In a clarification issued by chief minister office of Maharashtra, the government said that the governor office should have checked whether they have received the permission to use aircraft or not.