NEW DELHI: Sources close to the Indian Air Force (IAF) clarified that it is standard procedure to ask for money for the rescue operation. A former chief secretary of Kerala has clarified that such event had occured earlier as well. Indian Air Force headquarters in New Delhi had demanded Rs 33.79 core from Kerala for rescue operations carried out by it during the times of flood, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
“The exact amount to be given is Rs 33,79,77,250. This amount together with the cost of Ration materials allotted by the Centre will sum up to Rs 290.74 crore, which should be paid to the Centre. Even if we spend the whole of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), it would be impossible to pay off this amount. We have received only Rs 987.73 crore towards the fund. Out of this, 586.04 crore has been spent. We can clear all financial liabilities only if we get Rs 706 cr more,” the chief minister had said in the assembly on Wednesday.