SHILLONG, Oct 16 ? The Meghalaya Government has said it has decided to resume helicopter services, suspended after the September 22 crash which left 10, including a cabinet minister and two MLAs dead, but the date was yet to be fixed. Chief Minister D D Lapang told reporters on Friday after chairing a Cabinet meeting that Pawan Hans Ltd has assured the government to replace the crashed helicopter within 18 months on which understanding, the government has agreed to resume the services.
The Chief Minister said Pawan Hans Ltd would also give a compensation of Rs 7.50 lakh to the next of kin of each victim. The victims included Cabinet Minister for Community and Rural Development Cyprian R Sangma, NCP state unit vice-president and MLA Ardhendu Chaudhuri, legislator Heltone Marak and former deputy speaker Aira Marak. The helicopter crashed at Kyrdem Kulai in Ri-bhoi district, about 40 km from here.
He said a ?preliminary report? has been received from Pawan Hans Ltd which has been forwarded to the transport department for scrutiny. The report was not discussed at the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said without giving details. The government also decided to construct a helipad of its own and formed a high-power committee headed by the Chief Secretary to make surveys for a suitable spot, Lapang said. The committee was also asked to examine a proposal by the Ri-bhoi district authorities to construct a monument at Kyrdem Kulai, the crash site, he said.