CPI(M), CPI flay decision to pay Antony's plane fare

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 27. The CPI(M) and CPI have strongly criticised the State Government decision to pay the Indian Air Force the fare for Mr. A.K. Antony's travel from New Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram to take over as Chief Minister in 1995.

In separate statements here today, the CPI(M) politburo member and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. V.S. Achuthanandan, and the CPI State secretary, Mr. Veliyam Bhargavan, said the decision was wholly unjustifiable as the amount should actually have been paid by the Congress.

Mr. Achuthanandan pointed out that Mr. Antony travelled to Kerala as decided by the Congress leadership and that at the time he was just a Congress leader. As such, it was for the Congress to bear the plane fare. It was also inappropriate for the Congress not to have paid the amount even six months after the journey, he said.

The Opposition Leader said the Government would have to pay Rs. 14.5 lakhs plus interest. The Government had given an undertaking to this effect before the Delhi High Court. If this were true, the Government was challenging the people. The Government which was trumpeting about the straitened financial situation owed an explanation to the people on the subject, he added.

Mr. Bhargavan pointed out that Mr. Antony was not alone in the plane and that he was accompanied by six others, including a couple. He wanted to know how the State Government could pay the fare for such a journey when the actual responsibility for making the payment rested with Mr. Antony personally, the Congress high comand or the Union Government of the time.

Terming the State Government decision as corruption and misuse of power, Mr. Bhargavan called for its immediate revocation.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Rs. 230-cr. NCDC aid likely this year
Next     : Restoration of rail traffic to be delayed