New Delhi, February 19 (HS): The High-Level Committee (HLC) headed by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has approved additional central assistance of Rs 1554.99 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to five states affected by floods, flash floods, landslides, cyclones during the year 2024. This move of the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflects the resolve to help the people of these five states facing natural disasters.

The High-Level Committee approved central assistance of Rs 1554.99 crore under NDRF to five states, subject to adjustment of 50 percent of the initial balance available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the year. Out of the total amount of Rs 1554.99 crore, Rs 608.08 crore has been sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh, Rs 170.99 crore for Nagaland, Rs 255.24 crore for Odisha, Rs 231.75 crore for Telangana and Rs 288.93 crore for Tripura.

This additional assistance is in addition to the funds released by the Centre to the States from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which is already available with the States. During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs 18,322.80 crore to 27 States in SDRF and Rs 4,808.30 crore to 18 States from NDRF, Rs 2208.55 crore to 14 States from State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) and Rs 719.72 crore to 08 States from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

The central government had sent inter-ministerial central teams (IMCTS) to these states immediately after the disasters without waiting for the receipt of formal memorandum.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar