Union Home Minister-Led Panel Approves ₹1,115.67 Crore for Disaster Mitigation and Capacity Building

KalimNews with inputs from PIB, New Delhi, November 26, 2024: A high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has approved funding of Rs. 1115.67 crore for disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects across various states in India. The committee, which also includes the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, evaluated two key proposals: one for mitigating landslide risks in 15 states and the other for training and capacity-building of Civil Defense volunteers across all states and Union Territories (UTs).

The committee approved a total allocation of Rs. 1000 crore for the National Landslide Risk Mitigation project in 15 states. The approved funds will be distributed as follows: Rs. 139 crore for Uttarakhand, Rs. 139 crore for Himachal Pradesh, Rs. 378 crore for eight North Eastern states, Rs. 100 crore for Maharashtra, Rs. 72 crore for Karnataka, Rs. 72 crore for Kerala, Rs. 50 crore for Tamil Nadu, and Rs. 50 crore for West Bengal.

In addition, the committee greenlit an allocation of Rs. 115.67 crore for training and capacity building of Civil Defense volunteers across all states and UTs under the Preparedness and Capacity Building initiative. This funding is part of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

These decisions are part of ongoing efforts to mitigate disaster risks and strengthen the nation’s disaster management framework. Earlier this year, the committee had approved Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Projects in seven cities, with a total outlay of Rs. 3075.65 crore, and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Management projects in four states, totaling Rs. 150 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

In line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of building a disaster-resilient India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the guidance of Shri Amit Shah, has been proactive in implementing initiatives to enhance disaster risk reduction and response systems. Significant steps have been taken to prevent widespread loss of life and property during disasters, including bolstering the country's disaster management capabilities.

Since the beginning of this year, the government has released more than Rs. 21,476 crore to the states and UTs for disaster management. This includes:

Rs. 14,878.40 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to 26 states,

Rs. 4,637.66 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to 15 states,

Rs. 1,385.45 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 11 states,

Rs. 574.93 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to six states.

The committee's approval of these projects further demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring the country is better prepared for disasters and resilient in the face of natural calamities.

To achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a disaster-resilient India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the guidance of Shri Amit Shah, has implemented several measures to strengthen the country’s disaster risk reduction framework. These steps aim to minimize the loss of life and property during disasters by proactively addressing vulnerabilities.

The government’s commitment to building a robust disaster management system reflects its resolve to safeguard the country against the growing risks of climate change and natural disasters. These measures are critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of millions of citizens across India.