Private aviation schools to come up in Haryana

Chandigarh: The Haryana government has decided to invite applications for setting up private civil aviation schools on four airstrips of the state in Pinjore, Karnal, Bhiwani and Narnaul, said Power Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala today.
Addressing a press conference here, Surjewala, who also heads the committee appointed by the Chief Minister to deliberate on all issues relating to development of airstrips in Haryana through private parties and to make recommendations to the government, said an expression of interest will be issued soon in this regard to invite applications.
He said the four airstrips will be given to the applicant for an initial period of 10 years, extendible for another five years by mutual consent of the state. The Haryana government has decided to fix an annual licence fee of Rs 10 lakh.
Surjewala said the Haryana government expected that 28 to 30 aircraft of single engine and multi-engines will be available for flying on the four airstrips. These would be in addition to the four aircraft of the Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation (HICA) available at Hisar airstrip, which is yet to be offered.
As many as 20 per cent of the total seats offered by the private operators will be reserved for those holding Haryana domiciles. Reservation policy of the state government with regard to SC and BC quota will be implemented in the 20 per cent reserved seats for Haryana domiciles.
Surjewala said an applicant having experience of running a civil aviation academy in India would be preferred along with those having collaboration with an international aviation school or those having aircraft or with purchase order of aircraft.
29/05/08 Chandigarh Newsline