In a recent development, the central government has formally requested Kerala to pay an outstanding amount of Rs 132.61 crore pertaining to rescue operations conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) since 2006. This request comes amid the state’s ongoing appeals for a comprehensive relief package of Rs 2,000 crore to aid in the rehabilitation of individuals displaced by the recent landslides in Wayanad.
The letter addressed to Kerala’s Chief Secretary outlines charges related to various disaster responses, including significant events such as the catastrophic floods of 2019 and the recent landslide crisis in Wayanad. The bulk of the bill reflects the costs associated with airlifting and rescue endeavors carried out by the IAF.
The breakdown of the charges reveals that for the Wayanad landslide rescue operations, which were conducted on August 30, the IAF has billed the state Rs 8,91,23,500. The overall costs for the rescue operations related to the landslides in Wayanad have climbed to Rs 69,65,46,417. Furthermore, during the floods that ravaged the state from August 9 to 19, 2019, the IAF has presented a bill for Rs 1,10,55,000 for its services.
The financial obligations to the IAF are not a new phenomenon for the Kerala government; it has previously received multiple bills for rescue efforts. In 2020, the state was charged Rs 113.69 crore for operations conducted during the devastating 2018 floods. Additionally, in 2019, it was asked to settle bills totaling Rs 102.6 crore for using IAF aircraft and helicopters to rescue stranded individuals during the same floods.
As of now, the Kerala government has yet to provide a response to the latest billing from the IAF, raising questions about how the state plans to address this significant financial demand while simultaneously negotiating for the relief package necessary for rehabilitation efforts.
