'Helicopter service great help to Nagaland'

KOHIMA: Chief minister Neiphiu Rio expressed gratitude to the Centre for introducing helicopter services in the state during the question hour of the ongoing session of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

He said the state has benefitted a lot from the services, which has also enabled Union ministers and government officials, state VIPs, ceasefire monitoring group (CFMG), the governor and the chief minister to visit interior places in the state, cutting both cost and time. The chief minister added that the public is also benefitting from the chopper service as it is of great help during emergencies.

Several members of the opposition questioned the transport department as to why the service is running at a loss when the Centre is providing 75 per cent subsidy. Leader of opposition Tokheho Yepthomi and Congress MLA Kheto suggested that the department work out modalities to improve revenue collection from the service.