Kerala govt's Rs 80 lakh monthly helicopter rent in muddle after centre's special move

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the central government reducing the funding for Maoists' operations, the state government will struggle to find ways to pay Rs 80 lakh monthly rent for the helicopter. The copter is mostly used by the government and high-ranking police officials.

The core aim of renting the helicopter was to track down Maoists inside the forests. Apart from one mission carried out over the Kozhikode region, the chopper has been sitting idle and also draining the government coffers for aeons.

The Chief Minister himself had requested that Kannur and Wayanad districts be kept on the Maoist-affected list when he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi the other day. The Centre reduced the amount after the police announced that all the Maoists operating in Kerala had been totally cleared following the arrest of Maoist leader Santosh (Ravi) in February. The Centre used to provide Rs 20 crore annually to Kerala to carry out Maoist operations. After Wayanad, Palakkad and Malappuram districts were declared Maoist-free, the funding was cut by 75%.

Now, the state receives less than Rs five crore. The money is allotted for searching the forest, purchasing vehicles and weapons, training Thunderbolts, community policing and expenses of volunteers. The helicopter alone costs Rs 9.6 crore. The debt has piled up for more than Rs 3 crore.

The Intelligence Bureau requested that the two districts be kept on the list and that funds be increased, citing indications given to the state police by the Maoist leadership that they have decided to strengthen operations in Kerala. In reality, Thunderbolt has little to do except for joint inspections at the trijunction, the border between the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

• The rent for the helicopter is Rs 28.8 crore for three years. Since the contract was signed for three years, the rent has to be paid for this period. Even if the central fund is not received, the state will have to pay the rent.

• The rent for the 11-seater French-made twin-engine helicopter includes fuel, maintenance, staff salaries, and parking fees.