IAF Billing Kerala for Disaster Relief: Routine Practice Misrepresented as Regional Bias

It is widely believed that the British exploited and deepened societal divisions within India’s caste system to implement their “divide and rule” policy. This strategy remains a significant point of discussion in India’s colonial history. However, even after 78 years of independence, we are witnessing growing divisions within the country—this time between North and South India—fueled by certain ideological factions, including communists, Periyarists, and Islamists. On social media, Karnataka’s hyper-focus on Kannada linguistic pride frequently dominates discourse. Similarly, Tamil Nadu’s dissatisfaction over its share of central taxes sparked widespread debate just a few months ago. Adding to this trend, a recent controversy erupted when the Indian Air Force (IAF) asked the Kerala government to pay its outstanding dues for its services during the Wayanad floods.

Communist Mini Nair claimed, ‘Asking money for rescue operations during Wayanad landslide disaster. They literally hate Kerala!’

Asking money for rescue operations during Wayanad landslide disaster

They literally hate Kerala! pic.twitter.com/SkbYjJGcLk

— Mini Nair (@minicnair) December 14, 2024

Dushyant Nagar stated, ‘Asking money for rescue operations during Wayanad landslide disaster.’

Asking money for rescue operations during Wayanad landslide disaster pic.twitter.com/bBLUp3KFhu

— Dushyant Naagar (@DushyantNaagar) December 14, 2024

Imam hulagur wrote, ‘Asking money for rescue operations during Wayanad landslide disaster! Is Kerala a separate country?’

Asking money for rescue operations during Wayanad landslide disaster!

Is Kerala a separate country? pic.twitter.com/Ctb7O3QbRJ

— imam hulagur (@imamhulagur) December 14, 2024

Congress Kerala wrote while taking a dig at PM Modi, ‘Dear Narendra Modi .When are you sending the bill for your visit to Wayanad with GST? If required we will beg on the streets and pool-in the money and pay for it.’

Dear @narendramodi,

When are you sending the bill for your visit to Wayanad with GST? If required we will beg on the streets and pool-in the money and pay for it. pic.twitter.com/FMRwmftvJC

— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) December 14, 2024

Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan said, ‘The communique as the latest example of the Centre’s discrimination towards Kerala. The Centre “unjustly” wanted the State to recompense the IAF for humanitarian operations conducted during catastrophic natural disasters, including the 2019 floods, by dipping into the administration’s State Disaster Relief Funds.’

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Fact Check

We began our fact-checking process by researching the issue online and found a news article published by The New Indian Express on December 14. The report stated that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had billed the Kerala government ₹132.62 crore for airlifting and rescue operations carried out during the Wayanad landslides. The bill, sent to the Chief Secretary, detailed that the expenses for the first day of operations on August 30 amounted to ₹8.91 crore, with the total cost of the Wayanad rescue effort reaching ₹69.65 crore. The bill also included charges for IAF services during the 2018 Kerala floods. Notably, Kerala had previously paid over ₹100 crore for similar services during those floods.

The article clarified that it is a standard practice for the IAF to bill state governments for disaster relief operations, as outlined in the Instructions on Aid to Civil Authority by the Armed Forces – 1970.

Additionally, we reviewed the Government Accounting Rules, 1990, which explicitly state that when military forces are deployed for non-military duties such as ceremonial activities, flag marches, or disaster relief, the costs incurred (e.g., transportation, equipment) must be reimbursed by the respective state or civil department. The rules also categorize the types of assistance that the Armed Forces may provide to civil authorities, including maintaining law and order, supporting essential services, responding to natural disasters, aiding development projects, and other similar activities.

Further evidence supports this as standard protocol. A Times of India report from November 16, 2024, revealed that the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Department faced a ₹207 crore bill from the IAF for services rendered since the state’s formation in 2000. Historical examples also affirm this practice. A 2012 New Indian Express report detailed Odisha’s pending dues of ₹4.51 crore for IAF services rendered between May 2007 and April 2009. Another report from 2012 revealed that West Bengal owed ₹3.72 crore to the IAF as of May 31, 2012, for various relief and logistical operations. It further stated that the total dues from all states at the time amounted to nearly ₹300 crore, with significant amounts owed by northeastern states, including ₹140 crore from Arunachal Pradesh.

In conclusion, the IAF billing state governments for disaster relief and other requisitions is a long-established and routine practice based on clear regulations. Attempts to portray this as regional bias or unfair treatment are unfounded and appear to be deliberate misinformation aimed at creating unnecessary conflict between Kerala and the central government.

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