Shillong, Dec 28: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has refuted claims of the state issuing any tenders for the procurement of a chopper, citing the substantial costs associated with such an acquisition.

In a statement issued on Thursday, CM Sangma addressed speculations surrounding the potential purchase of a chopper by the Meghalaya government. He clarified that no tender has been released for this purpose, emphasising the financial challenges posed by the high expenses associated with acquiring and maintaining a chopper.

His statement comes in response to a report published by Shillong Times, refuting claims that the Meghalaya government intends to procure a chopper for VIP movement. Sangma emphasised the need for media outlets, including Shillong Times, to conduct thorough research before publishing such reports.

He also said that this is not the first time that the media outlet has published such fake or false news without doing their homework.

Paying on hourly basis

The Chief Minister clarified that the government’s intention is to explore short-term leasing options for chopper services on a service and hourly basis. By opting for a lease arrangement, the government aims to avoid incurring a heavy financial burden, with payments directed towards the relevant service provider.

“We pay only on hourly basis,” said CM.

He said the VIP movement is limited and choppers are necessary are important sometimes for urgent and other political purposes.

CM on defamation case on media house

The Chief Minister also expressed concern, stating that the public may lose faith in the media house responsible for disseminating false or inaccurate news, thereby potentially defaming the government.

Regarding the defamation case, the Chief Minister mentioned that the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and the administration will investigate the matter. He expressed disapproval of sensationalising news merely for sensationalism’s sake, emphasising the importance of accurate reporting. The CM urged media houses to ensure responsible journalism by verifying facts before publishing news, highlighting the need for correct and responsible information dissemination.

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