The Kerala High Court urged the Central government to reconsider the Rs 132 crore airlift charges for IAF rescue operations since 2006, suggesting Rs 120 crore be waived to support Wayanad landslide victims. The court emphasized the urgency for disaster relief, highlighting the need for quick deployment of funds, with further hearings scheduled for January 10, 2025.
Kerala: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday requested the Central government to reconsider its demand for Rs 132 crore as airlift charges for Indian Air Force (IAF) rescue operations conducted in the state since 2006. The court suggested excluding Rs 120 crore from the total, enabling the state to allocate the funds for rehabilitating victims of the devastating Wayanad landslides.
A division bench comprising Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Easwaran S emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the release of Rs 120 crore could immediately boost available resources for relief efforts.
The court remarked that the Rs 132 crore bill from the Defence Ministry, issued shortly after Kerala requested financial aid for Wayanad rehabilitation, appeared to be a “psychological move.” It stressed that the request was made for a noble cause, as the funds are critical for disaster relief.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on January 10, 2025, pending the Centre’s response.
The Defence Ministry’s bill, received on November 2, 2024, includes charges for IAF rescue operations spanning over a decade:
- Over Rs 100 crore relates to rescue missions during the catastrophic 2018 Kerala floods.
- Rs 13 crore pertains to airlift operations in response to the Wayanad landslides on July 30, 2024, which destroyed three villages.
Kerala currently has Rs 61 crore in its State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) account. If the Rs 120 crore is waived, the total funds for Wayanad’s rehabilitation would rise to Rs 180 crore, significantly enhancing relief efforts.
However, a lawyer for the Centre pointed out that relaxing norms under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and SDRF is necessary to utilize these funds. The court urged the Centre to expedite these relaxations to ensure the funds can be deployed immediately.
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