Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Kerala government is considering replacing the fixed monthly rental for the helicopter leased by the state police with a payment model based solely on actual flying hours.

Under the proposed arrangement, the helicopter company has suggested charging Rs 4 lakh per hour instead of a fixed monthly rental. The government is expected to take a final decision on the proposal submitted by the company.

The Kerala Police first leased a helicopter during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government. Under the original contract, the state was required to pay Rs 80 lakh every month, regardless of whether the helicopter was used.

The monthly rental allowed the police to use the helicopter for up to 25 flying hours a month. However, in previous years, the helicopter was used for only around five or six hours in a month at most.

Despite the limited usage, the state had to pay the full monthly rental, leading to considerable criticism and controversy over the arrangement.

Following this, the government took a firm position that the fixed monthly rental should be scrapped and that payment should be made only for the actual time the helicopter is flown.

It was after the government’s insistence that the company came forward with a proposal to charge Rs 4 lakh per flying hour, based on actual usage.

Further discussions are expected before the final rental agreement is worked out, with the government and the company likely to negotiate a rate that is financially viable for both sides.