THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The helicopter hired by the state government at Rs 1.70 crores per month do not operate for disaster relief or Maoist hunt. Instead, it is used for the VVIPs and aerial observation so far and it has been used only 6 times in six months.

The government has already paid about Rs 10 crores for this. Even if the chopper is not used, the rent should be paid. At present, it is kept at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport without much use. The police say it cannot be used for the Maoist hunt. While taken out for surveillance in this regard, only the forest's greenery is visible and not the Maoists who are in hiding in the forests.

The helicopter AS 365 was hired from the public sector company Powerhans from April 1. The rent is Rs 1,44,60,000 for 20 hours of flying per month. Including 18 % GST the amount payable rises to Rs 1,70,63,000. If the chopper is used for more than 20 hours, an additional cost of Rs 67,926 will be charged per hour. Back then, it was said the chopper had a facility to airlift sick people during an emergency. On May 9 and July 21, it was used for heart transplantation. It was on this helicopter that Tom Jose went on a controversial ride to Pamba with DGP Behera on the eve of his retirement.

The copter that could have flown for 80 hours has not been used for even 10 hours so far.