THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is in the process of hiring a helicopter at a time when the state is in the midst of a financial crisis of COVID-19 fears. The government’s move are when funds are collected from government employees through salary challenge to handle the various activities of the virus. The government withdrew an amount of Rs 1.5 core from the treasury to pay advance to Pawan Hans, a private company for hiring the helicopter.

The state government had decided to hire a helicopter when the treasury was facing acute financial crisis soon after the floods time. The decision had triggered a row then.

Kerala has to pay a huge amount as monthly rent when the private company gives helicopters to Chattisgarh for lakh. Despite these controversies, the government is moving forward with the agreement.