Maha Guv Denied State Jet; ‘Raj Bhavan Was Informed’ Says CMO

Leader of the opposition Devendra Fadnavis has dubbed the incident ‘a black chapter in the state’.

When Bhagat Singh Koshiyari reached the CSIM Airport to board the government plane, he was informed that the permission for the use of the aircraft had ‘not been received’. Image used for representation. 

(Photo: IANS)

The Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari was not allowed to board the state Government aircraft for his flight from Mumbai to Dehradun, on Thursday, 11 February.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office has, however, issued a clarification saying that the Raj Bhavan was intimated about permission not being granted for the aircraft to the governor on Wednesday itself and that the Raj Bhavan secretariat should have planned better.

This comes in the backdrop of an ongoing tussle between the Governor and the government in Maharashtra, involving a pending request for the appointment of recommended Vidhan Parishad members in the state.

While Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had said that he will seek complete information in the matter, Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut told ANI that a state government aircraft isn’t to be used for a personal programme outside the state.

“It is not right to avail Maharashtra government’s aircraft for a personal programme outside the state. The Governor had no permission to use the aircraft, so it was not right that he went there. The officer who did not apprise him of it should be probed.”

He has now landed in Dehradun, after flying on a commercial jet.

WHAT DID THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SAY?

The governor’s office has also issued a clarification explaining that he had sought the aircraft as, “He 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.”

The governor’s office 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 by the Hon’ble Governor, well in advance on 2 February 2021.

The office of the Chief Minister was also informed, according to the office of the Governor.

WHAT DID THE CMO SAY?

The Maharashtra CMO, according to ANI, said that the Raj Bhavan secretariat ought to have planned better as they had been intimated about the government aircraft being denied on Wednesday itself.

The CMO also said that the state government has taken serious note of the developments.

“Raj Bhavan was intimated about permission not being granted for aircraft to Governor yesterday itself. Raj Bhavan Secretariat should have planned it in a better way. State government has taken serious note of it and CM has directed to fix responsibility of concerned officer.”

Maharashtra CMO, according to ANI

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

According to the Governor’s office, when Koshiyari reached the CSIM Airport to board the government plane, he was informed that the permission for the use of the aircraft had ‘not been received’.

The clarification further says: “As directed by the Hon’ble Governor, tickets for Dehradun were booked for the Governor on a commercial aircraft, leaving Mumbai at 12:15 pm immediately and accordingly, he left for Dehradun”.

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION HITS OUT

Leader of the opposition in Maharshtra, Devendra Fadnavis has hit out at the Maharashtra government for Koshiyari not being allowed the government jet.

Dubbing the incident, ‘a black chapter for the state’, Fadnavis said: “It is an unfortunate incident. The Governor is not just a person but a constitutional position.”

“It's a childish act, this is a very arrogant government. Governor's post is more important than who holds it. Govt didn't give permission deliberately to disrespect him.”

(With inputs from ANI.)