Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Following the assurance given on April 2, 2020, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his video conference meeting with the Chief Ministers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the release of Rs 11,092 crore under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) to all States.
The Central Government has released in advance its share of first installment of State Disaster Risk Management Fund for the year 2020-21, amounting to Rs 11,092 crore with a view to augmenting funds available with the State Governments.
With a view to making available additional funds to the State Governments for taking preventive and mitigation measures for containment of COVID-19, Central Government had on March 14, 2020, had already made a special dispensation for utilisation of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). This Fund was allowed to be utilised for setting up quarantine facilities, sample collection and screening; setting up additional testing laboratories, cost of consumables; purchase of personal protection equipment for healthcare personnel, municipal, police and fire authorities; purchase of thermal scanners, ventilators, air purifiers, and consumables for Government hospitals.
Central Government is sensitive to the need for providing food and shelter to homeless people including migrant labourers, who are stranded due to lockdown measures. Accordingly on March 28, 2020, the Central Government allowed the States Government to use SDRF for this purpose also.
The Central Government, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, is extending all necessary support to the States in a timely manner to deal with an unprecedented global crisis which is declared to be a “pandemic” by World Health Organization, according to a PIB release.