Gujarat Government Discloses Significant Expenditure on State Aircraft and Staff
The Gujarat government has informed the state assembly that a total of Rs 141.66 crore was spent on the maintenance and staffing of its official aircraft and helicopter over a one-year period. This revelation came in response to questions raised by opposition MLAs during the assembly session on Monday.
Breakdown of Aircraft-Related Costs
According to the government's written reply, from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026, a sum of Rs 28.95 crore was allocated specifically for the maintenance of the state government's plane and helicopter. In addition to this, Rs 15.18 crore was expended on pilot salaries and allowances during the same timeframe. Furthermore, other staff expenses related to the aircraft operations amounted to Rs 97.53 crore, bringing the total expenditure to Rs 141.66 crore for the fiscal year.
The details were provided in response to a query by Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, highlighting the substantial financial outlay dedicated to ensuring the operational readiness and safety of the state's aerial assets.
Ankleshwar Airport Development Progress
In a separate assembly response, the Gujarat government announced that the proposed airport at Ankleshwar is on track to become operational by the end of 2028. This update was given in reply to a question by MLA Ramesh Mistry, who sought clarity on the project's timeline and current status.
The government stated that, as of December 31, 2025, the first phase of land acquisition for the airport is actively underway, targeting 82 hectares. Concurrently, land leveling activities for the runway, taxiway, and other essential infrastructure are in progress, indicating steady advancement toward the 2028 operational deadline.
Scrutiny of Scheduled Tribe Certificates
The assembly also received data on the cancellation of Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates by the state's scrutiny committee. Over a two-year period, a total of 172 ST certificates were revoked. Specifically, 79 certificates were cancelled in 2024, followed by 93 in 2005, as confirmed in a reply to MLA Anantkumar Patel.
The highest number of cancellations involved members of the Dungri Ganasiya tribe, with 34 certificates being invalidated. Additionally, 32 certificates from the Bhil tribe were also cancelled, reflecting the committee's rigorous verification process to ensure the authenticity of tribal status claims.
Crimes Against Scheduled Castes in Ahmedabad
In another significant disclosure, the government provided statistics on crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Ahmedabad city for the year 2025. Responding to Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar, the data revealed 128 recorded cases, including seven murders of SC members, 100 instances of torture, and 21 rape cases against SC women.
The government assured the assembly that all these cases have been solved by the police, emphasizing law enforcement's commitment to addressing such offenses and ensuring justice for the affected communities.
These comprehensive replies underscore the Gujarat government's transparency in addressing diverse issues, from financial expenditures and infrastructure development to social welfare and law enforcement, as part of its ongoing accountability to the legislative body.
