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Chandra Shekhar owes IAF Rs 59 m for unofficial trips

Former prime ministers Rajiv Gandhi, V P Singh, Chandra Shekhar, P V Narasimha Rao, H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral are among the 16 dignitaries who owe a substantial amount of money to the government for unofficial journeys undertaken in Indian Air Force aircraft, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Chandra Shekhar owes Rs 59,131,476, Narasimha Rao Rs 55,240,647, Rajiv Gandhi 18,617,280, Deve Gowda Rs 26,48,164, Gujral Rs 3,95,986, and V P Singh Rs 2,25,679, Defence Minister George Fernandes said in a written reply.

As a result of concerted efforts, Rs 1.21 billion has been realised in 1997-98. Special collection drives other than the regular collection process are undertaken to clear the arrears, he said.

Fernandes said the defence minister, the minister of state for defence and the deputy minister for defence are entitled to use VIP flights of the IAF for discharging their official duties. Except the prime minister, no other dignitary is authorised to use the VIP flights for non-official journeys.

The details of outstanding dues from former ministers are:

C M Ibrahim Rs 28,13,333, Kamal Nath Rs 2,77,692, Selja Rs 2,00,000, B Chaturvedi Rs 7,83,333, P R Kumaramangalam Rs 3,26,232, Matang Singh Rs 13,05,000, V C Shukla Rs 4,60,336, P V R Naidu Rs 92,083, B S Ramoowalia Rs 4,67,500 and R L Bhatia Rs 3,35,849.

Fernandes said the total expenditure incurred on the use of VIP flights of the IAF by former defence ministers works out to Rs 415.7 million.

In reply to a question whether the places visited by him have any defence relevance, the minister said all the journeys referred to in the reply given have been stated as official.

The existing instructions which have been issued with the approval of the prime minister are considered sufficient to check misuse of the VIP flights of the IAF aircraft, he said.

UNI

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