According to a press note issued by HP state PR Deptartment, a Spokesman of Tribal Development Department said that HP Government was committed to the development of tribal areas and to provide people of those areas all facilities in order to make their lives comfortable.
The Spokesman further said that Government was operating helicopter services in the tribal areas of Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi to facilitate the local people and employees and added that the Government had engaged Mesco Airlines on lease for whole year and for providing helicopter services in winter season for tribal areas. He said that 16 flights were operated till now during this winter season.
He said that Government was spending the funds available in the GAD for payment of services rendered by Mesco Airlines and added that these funds were not being spent from the Tribal Sub Plan. He said that the services were being provided to the people on nominal rates by charging fare on subsidized rates which was comparatively very low.
The spokesman said that sufficient funds for supply of medicines had been made available under Tribal Sub Plan and added that about Rs. 40 lakh were provided to Lahaul area alone during the year 2006-07 which were being spent according to requirements.
