Dehradun: After the formation of the state in 2000, the services of the Air Force have been taken for various works including rescue operations conducted during disasters. In return, the Air Force has sent a letter to the government to pay Rs 200 crore.
Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman says that the services of the Air Force have been taken at various times and a letter has come regarding the payment for these services.
67 crores bill is related to disaster management
In the Rs 200 crore bill, Rs 67 crores pertains solely to disaster management. Of this, Rs 24 crores have already been paid, and other bills amounting to Rs 28 crores have also been verified, with further payment processes underway. Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, mentioned that efforts are ongoing to identify which departments have incurred the remaining expenses. Only these departments will be able to provide detailed information about the expenditures.
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IAF to settle account with various departments in Uttarakhand
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has requested the Uttarakhand government to settle its dues, amounting to Rs 200 crore, with departments including Tourism, Public Works, Sainik Welfare, General Administration, and Disaster Management. To address the issue, the Disaster Management Department (DMD) has reached out to other departments, such as Tourism and Forest. Given that some IAF bills date back nearly 20 years, they are currently being verified. The IAF has sent three letters to the state government: the first from Air Force Headquarters on August 27, followed by reminders on September 18 and 19, highlighting the significant financial liability.
Military-dominated state failed to return a single penny to the IAF
Despite receiving constant reminders, the military-dominated state failed to return a single penny to the IAF. Unable to bear the brunt of this financial stress, the state government wrote a letter to ACEO Disaster Management on October 22, informing them about the Air Force’s letters and instructing them to take action. Additionally, the disaster management department has also written letters to the other departments asking them to pay their respective outstanding amounts.
History of natural disasters in Uttarakhand
During natural disasters in Uttarakhand, Air Force helicopters often conduct relief and rescue operations, resulting in substantial expense cheques for the State Disaster Management Department. Uttarakhand has a history of natural disasters, including floods, landslides, and earthquakes, such as the 2020 forest fires, the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, the 1999 Chamoli earthquake, the 1998 Malpa landslide, and the 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake, among others.
Efforts are underway to get the loan waived by the Government of India
Currently, the State Disaster Management Department has incurred Rs 67 crore in costs for relief and rescue efforts, of which Rs 24 crore has been paid, leaving Rs 43 crore still outstanding. Moreover, efforts are underway to get the loan waived by the Government of India by bringing the matter to the attention of the state chief secretary, Radha Raturi, and chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami. Verification of the bills worth Rs 200 crore sent by the IAF is underway as they are almost 20-years-old.
