NEW DELHI: The Central Information Commission (CIC) in response to RTI seeking information on the laid down steps, instructions, process and procedure for clearing bills or invoices of the Indian Air Force (IAF) BBJ aircraft, IAF replied that no money was paid for the five flights undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that were chartered for his foreign visits.
The IAF has in its reply on January 6 also noted that “the prime minister is entitled for free airlift in VVIP aircrafts of the IAF” and that “no bill has been raised for such airlifts”.
In his application from September 2016, RTI activist Commodore (Retd) Lokesh K Batra had asked the IAF for information. He sought the information in connection to the prime minister’s “PM India” website which mentioned that between August 2014 and May 2016, the Modi had undertaken five foreign visits by the aircraft.
In response to the query, air headquarters stated that as per the rules “no charges will be recovered for the use of the aircraft by the President, Vice-President, the Prime Minister (except when he/she travels otherwise than on official duty), the minister of defence, minister of home affairs, minister of state in the ministry of defence, defence secretary and the serious service and civilian officers connected with the defence organisation as well as the cabinet secretary when his journey is for defence purposes.”
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