Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday defended his recent chartered flight journey to rain-hit Malappuram, saying the trip did not involve any expenditure from the state government.
Speaking to reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Satheesan said the aircraft had been arranged by an acquaintance and refused to disclose the person’s identity. He questioned why the details of the individual needed to be made public when no government funds were used for the journey.
Satheesan said he would undertake similar travel again if circumstances required it. He argued that his visit to Malappuram was necessary following a major tragedy in the northern district, where six people had died. According to the chief minister, failing to visit the affected area could also have led to questions about why he had not gone there despite the deaths.
He also clarified that the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund was not intended to finance such travel.
The chief minister also defended foreign trips undertaken by members of his cabinet. He said expatriate organisations sometimes arrange tickets for ministers travelling abroad to participate in official programmes and maintained that there was nothing improper about such arrangements when undertaken with his permission.
Satheesan also referred to similar travel arrangements during the previous LDF government, saying he had information about people who had travelled in such a manner but had chosen not to make the details public.
The chief minister further defended Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji over his use of a friend’s luxury vehicle. Satheesan said the minister’s official vehicle was around 10 years old and argued that there was nothing wrong with using another vehicle under the circumstances.
The Chief Minister’s Office had earlier stated that the chartered aircraft used for the Malappuram visit did not result in any additional expenditure for the state government.
The issue, however, has drawn criticism from the opposition CPI. The party has alleged that the chief minister’s decision to use a privately arranged chartered aircraft raises questions regarding the responsibilities associated with his office.
Satheesan’s comments come amid wider political discussion in Kerala over the use of privately sponsored travel, official vehicles and expenses connected with ministers’ programmes.
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