Hyderabad: The previous TDP (Telugu Desam Party) Government had spent a whopping Rs 17.24 crore during the five-year period from 1999 towards the much-publicised flying visits of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu using the Government helicopter.

This was disclosed by the State Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao in the Legislative Assembly in Hyderabad today (July 27, 2004). The TDP Government had diverted funds to the tune of Rs 4.10 crore during 2002-03 for purchase of an engine for the Government helicopter 'Bell 430', the Minister told G Chinna Reddy (Congress) during the Question Hour.

Of the Rs 4.10 crore diverted funds, Rs 3 crore was meant for maintenance expenditure of Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in Delhi, Rs 50 lakh for maintenance of Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad and another Rs 60 lakh budgeted for other Government guesthouses.

"The funds were diverted through re-appropriation," the Minister said.

Giving year-wise break-up of expenditure on Naidu's heli-hopping tours across the State during his second stint as Chief Minister, he said Rs 2.18 crore was spent in 1999-2000, Rs 2.28 crore in 2000-01, Rs 4.95 crore in 2001-02, Rs 4.47 crore in 2002-03 and Rs 3.36 crore in 2003-04.

Naidu, now the Leader of the Opposition, was present in the House when the figures were being reeled out.