PESHAWAR, Nov 15: The NWFP government’s move to buy two Alloute helicopters for ‘VIP duty’ will cost it more than Rs80 million per annum, according to sources. About Rs40 million per annum per helicopter would be required for payment of salary and for expenses on accommodation and other facilities to the pilots and other flight staff needed for flight operations, the sources said.

The amount would be in addition to the expenses incurred on fuel and maintenance of the two French helicopters which, according to the sources, are being procured through the navy instead of inviting bids through tenders from the private sector.

The government’s procurement procedures have been set aside, rendering the move to be questioned by international donor agencies extending monetary and budgetary support to the cash-strapped province for executing development schemes and introducing fiscal reforms in the public sector. The procurement of the refurbished helicopters — which are no more manufactured – involves a price of about Rs105 million.

The single rotary wings helicopters for the NWFP governor and chief minister are being bought to save the funds the provincial government spends on account of rent paid to the Peshawar Flying Club, the Askari Aviation and the cabinet division in Islamabad.

The NWFP government pays about Rs12.5 million per year to the Peshawar Flying Club even if its plane is not used. However, the sources said that the purchase of helicopters was likely to result in increasing the expenses.

“The NWFP government is presently paying Rs50,000 per hour as rent of light aircraft and it will cost about Rs500,000 per hour if it buys its own helicopters,” said the source.

They said a team would be sent to France for three months for ‘familiarization’ and training for maintaining the helicopters.

Initially, it was planned that a 25-member team would be sent but the size was reduced after objections were raised by the competent authorities, the sources said.