The Congress on Monday condemned the Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra for hiring three "tainted" AgustaWestland helicopters to be used by VIPs for official tours.

"The decision to hire controversial AgustaWestland choppers through an agency exposes the real face of the state government as well as the BJP, which had earlier termed the company as 'bogus'," said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.

He claimed that the Congress-NCP government had initiated the process of banning the Italian firm in 2014 to stop the purchase or hiring of Agusta choppers after allegations of corruption.

According to the government order dated May 4, the state's Directorate of Aviation has hired two private aviation agencies for two years — January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018.

The government has identified 22 types of small aeroplanes for hiring on rent at a rate of Rs1-4.6 lakh per hour, says the GR. Besides, there are nine helicopters — including three from Agusta — that have an hourly rent price of Rs 1.78 lakh to Rs 2.89 lakh.

Sawant said, "The UPA government had ordered the CBI and ED to probe the charges against the company. However, we lost power before we could blacklist the company completely. Now, the Fadnavis government has hired the same choppers despite all the controversies related to that firm. This is shocking."

Government officials rejected the charges. "The GR just mentions the name and specifications of all available double engine choppers. It doesn't say that only Augusta will be rented. Since 1981, double-engine helicopters have been made compulsory for VVIPs. There are six to seven companies that provide such types of choppers. Agusta is one of them," claimed officials.

Analysis

The Congress has claimed that the Fadnavis government has hired Agusta choppers despite all the controversies related to the firm. But the state has rejected the charges, so this remains a war of words at present.