Rs 61,220 cr allocated for state disaster relief fund for 2015-20: Govt

An allocation of Rs 61,220 crore has been made to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the period 2015-20 for providing assistance to people affected by natural calamities, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that even though the primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the state governments, the Centre pitches in by providing funds in the State Disaster Response Fund.

These funds are of use to state governments for providing relief to the victims of notified disasters as per the norms.

“In case of disasters of severe nature, central government extends assistance from National Disaster Response Fund as per criteria fixed in this regard. An allocation of Rs 61,220 crore has been made in the SDRF during the period of 2015-20,” he said.

Funds from SDRF are provided to the states only. For Union Territories, separate budget provisions are made in demands for grants of the Ministry of Home Affairs, he said.