New Delhi, India – In a significant move to strengthen disaster management efforts across the country, the central government has disbursed an amount of Rs 7,532 crore to 22 states for the State Disaster Management Fund (SDRF). The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, released the funds based on the recommendations put forth by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Ministry of Finance, in a statement issued on Wednesday, highlighted that Rs 7,532 crore had been released to 22 states by the central government. Notably, the Ministry provided immediate assistance to the states without waiting for the utilization certificate of the previously allocated funds from the last fiscal year. Considering the widespread heavy rainfall being experienced in various parts of the country, the government has also relaxed the guidelines in order to expedite relief efforts.
Among the states that received funds, Andhra Pradesh received Rs 493.60 crore, Arunachal Pradesh Rs 110.40 crore, Assam Rs 340.40 crore, Bihar Rs 624.40 crore, Chhattisgarh Rs 181.60 crore, Goa Rs 4.80 crore, Gujarat Rs 584.00 crore, Haryana Rs 216.80 crore, Himachal Pradesh Rs 493.60 crore, Karnataka Rs 348.80 crore, Kerala Rs 138.80 crore, Maharashtra Rs 1420.80 crore, Manipur Rs 18.80 crore, Meghalaya Rs 27.20 crore, Mizoram Rs 20.80 crore, Odisha Rs 707.60 crore, Punjab Rs 218.40 crore, Tamil Nadu Rs 450.00 crore, Telangana Rs 188.80 crore, Tripura Rs 30.40 crore, Uttar Pradesh Rs 812.00 crore, and Uttarakhand Rs 413.20 crore.
It is worth noting that, based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the central government has allocated a total of Rs 1,28,122.40 crore for the State Disaster Management Fund for the fiscal years 2021-22 to 2025-26. The central government’s share amounts to Rs 98,080.80 crore, with an already released sum of Rs 34,140 crore.
With the latest disbursement of funds by the Ministry of Finance, the total amount of the central government’s share released to state governments for disaster management has now reached Rs 42,366 crore.
This allocation of funds showcases the central government’s commitment to supporting states in their disaster management endeavors, enabling them to effectively respond to and mitigate the impact of natural calamities. The financial assistance provided will play a crucial role in bolstering the states’ disaster management capabilities and ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected communities.
As the country continues to face various natural calamities and unforeseen emergencies, the allocation of funds to the State Disaster Management Fund reinforces the importance of proactive disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. The central government remains dedicated to working in tandem with the states to build resilience and enhance disaster management infrastructure, safeguarding lives and minimizing the damage caused by disasters.
