Dimapur, January 2 (DIPR): Nagaland Minister for Transport, Civil Aviation, IT &C and Border Affairs, Paiwang Konyak flagged off the State Helicopter service on January 2, 2017 at Dimapur Airport. The Helicopter service will be operated by Global VECTRA Helicorp Limited (GVHL) for a period of two years starting from January 2, 2017 till December 31, 2018 as per the Memorandum of Understanding. While flagging off the service, Paiwang impressed upon the GVHL for adapting themselves to the local environment and to deliver quality services to the people with the paramount safety aspect. Paiwang urging upon the people of Nagaland availing the services to cooperate with the personnel of GVHL, reminded them that unlike motor vehicle transportation, air service regulations, weather conditions, technical and State Emergency requirement may restrict the service causing last minute cancellation. He asked the commuters to bear with such inconvenience caused out of such situations at times. Paiwang also informed that the Government of India facilitates operation of State Helicopter service under subsidised Scheme from the Ministry of Home Affairs. In view of the reviewed subsidy categorization by the GOI for State Helicopter Operation, the State Government cannot exceed the maximum flying hours guaranteed per month due to financial implications, he cited. He also said that the terms and guidelines of the subsidy scheme being granted to normal sortie commuters and medical or patient evacuation have to be strictly adhered to reminding that deviation would attract forfeiture of the subsidy claims. “Other than that, all requisition/chartering by VIPs and VVIPs and any Agency; individual or group will have to bear the full date to qualify for continuation of the State Helicopter Service under the Scheme,” Paiwang informed. The minister also said that the Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang keenly monitors the service being rendered to the people of Nagaland by the State Helicopter Service for ensuring that the services are utilised in maximum for the benefit of the people of the State. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief of GVHL, Captain Rajbir Singh Brinda thanked the Nagaland Government for giving them opportunity to serve the people and assured that the Company would carry out the task with utmost responsibility living up to their expectations. He remarked that their sole purpose in Nagaland would be to serve the people ensuring that besides routine services to the forward areas in the State, medical evacuation by helicopter gets due support and attention. Highlighting briefly on the history of the Company, Rajbir described GVHL as the most respected and largest helicopter operator in the country's private sector with a fleet of 26 helicopters comprising of both single and twin engine helicopters with six more to be inducted this year. “The fleet includes AW 139, Bell 412, EC 155, EC135, H 130 and AS350 B3 and very soon to be inducting a first of its kind helicopter AW169 in India to be deployed for the Government of Bihar,” he maintained. He further informed that the Company has a total of 97 pilots mostly from defence background, each with more than 20 years of flying experience in all types of terrain. The company operates from 14 locations in India with Nagaland to be the 15th location, he said. Principal Secretary to the CM Nagaland and Finance Commissioner Government of Nagaland, Temjen Toy (IAS) who chaired the programme said that helicopter services in Nagaland started way back in 1987 and the current MOU with GVHL would be the 5th chapter in helicopter Aviation of Nagaland. He urged upon the Company for providing the services with diligence and sincerity for the benefit of the people of Nagaland. Associate Pastor Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur, Thenjamo Tsanglao invoked God's blessings while Pastor, Dimapur Christian Fellowship, Rev. Subong Jamir offered the dedicatory prayer. DC Dimapur Commissioner Police Dimapur, officials from Nagaland State Transport and Airport Authority Dimapur, officials and pilots from GYM and hosts of other dignitaries attended the programme held at Dimapur Airport premises.