Centre approves add. financial assistance of Rs1,813.75 cr. from NDRF to Bihar, Karnataka

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New Delhi  : Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief work of all the flood affected States. Keeping in view the severity of flood situation and the fund positions in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) account of the States of Bihar and Karnataka, the Home Minister has approved an advance release of Rs 400 crore to Bihar and Rs 1,200 crore to Karnataka from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) ‘on account basis’. He has further approved the advance release of 2^nd installment of centre’s share of SDRF amounting to Rs 213.75 crore to Bihar for the year 2019-20.

Karnataka and Bihar have informed about the paucity of funds in the SDRF account resulting in delay in providing relief assistance to the affected people and requested for release of advance additional financial assistance from NDRF. Bihar had also requested for advance release of the second installment of centre’s share of SDRF for the year 2019-20.

During the South West Monsoon, 2019, 13 States have been affected by unprecedented flood/landslide.  In pursuance of a significant decision taken by the Union Home Minister at the High Level Committee (HLC) meeting held on August 19, 2019, even before receipt of Memorandum from the State Governments concerned seeking additional financial assistance from NDRF, Ministry of Home Affairs constituted Inter Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) for 13 States. IMCTs have so far visited 12 States and based on the interim memorandum submitted by States, interim reports have been submitted by IMCTs in respect of Bihar and Karnataka, according to a PIB release.

The Central Government has been providing full support to the State Governments by mobilising/providing timely logistics and financial resources to supplement efforts of the State Governments to deal with the situation effectively in the wake of floods/ landslides. The logistics support provided includes adequate number of teams of National Disaster Response Force, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard helicopters, Army columns, Navy & Coast Guard personnel along with necessary rescue equipment.

The Government of India supplements the effort of the State Government by providing assistance for relief of immediate nature through SDRF as per established procedure. An SDRF has been constituted for each State. The Central Government contributes 75% for General Category States and 90% for North-Eastern and Hilly States of the SDRF allocation each year. The first charge of relief expenditure is on SDRF and in the cases of calamities of severe nature, it is supplemented from NDRF.