Kannur: The Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala spent public money to the tune of Rs 2,28,000 to fly back its ministers, Left leaders and their families who attended the unveiling of the Kannur airport on Sunday.
As many as 63 tickets were booked on GoAir, including those for the CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and family, for the first flight to Thiruvananthapuram from Kannur airport.
The tickets were booked through a government agency last Thursday. Every one of those tickets were paid for by the government.
The chief minister and his cabinet members flew to the capital at 3 pm after the spectacular opening ceremony of the state's fourth international airport. Families of the ministers, leaders of the ruling LDF and local CPM leaders also boarded the flight.
Monday's GoAir flight was part of the inauguration specials, and carried 190, including crew members.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu and CM Pinarayi jointly flagged off the inaugural Air India Express flight, carrying 186 passengers to Abu Dhabi, at the new airport near Mattannur town in Sunday morning.
While the Kerala CM hailed the support of the Centre in fulfilling the state's dream project, he flayed the previous UDF governments for the 'delay' in completing the Kannur airport.
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