he Centre has decided to allow Maoist-hit states to hire helicopters on their own from private firms to use them for anti-Naxal operations till it acquires eight Mi-17V-5 choppers. Home Ministry officials said in New Delhi, the Central government would reimburse all the expenses to be incurred by the state governments in hiring the helicopters. These will primarily be used for casualty evacuation, emergency reinforcement of forces and transportation of medicine and other supplies. They said, the Home Ministry will give up to 15 crore rupees per annum to each of the Naxal-affected states for hiring helicopters. Ministry officials feel that with that much of fund, a state can get 30 hours flying time of choppers every month.