Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Oct 4 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government Sunday suspended K.V. Brahmananda Reddy, managing director of state-owned Aviation Corporation Limited, allegedly for the delay in arranging a helicopter for the chief minister to undertake an aerial survey of flood-hit areas.
Though the government order cited no reason for the action, sources said the official had failed to arrange a chopper for Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on Saturday.

Rosaiah, who conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas Sunday, had told reporters Saturday that the officials had advised him against conducting an aerial survey in view of the inclement weather.

Rosaiah, who landed in Vijayawada and held a meeting with officials to review the situation, had to return to Hyderabad without landing in Kurnool, the worst affected town.

The chief minister has come under criticism from various quarters for the delay in conducting the aerial survey. The opposition parties pointed out how Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa had been visiting flood-hit areas in his state.

The suspension of the official also came a month after the death of chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and four others in a helicopter crash. The chopper had crashed in bad weather in Kurnool district.

The corporation, which acquires and maintains helicopters/aircraft for the government, has come under criticism for allowing captain S.K. Bhatia to pilot the ill-fated helicopter, despite the fact that the Indian Air Force had refused to give further extension after June 3. There were also complaints against Bhatia that he “exceeding limits” and was involved in four windshield failures.

The corporation also came under attack for using Bell 430 helicopter and doubts were raised if the chopper was maintained properly.