The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has taken swift action by releasing an amount of Rs. 7,532 crore to 22 State Governments for their respective State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF). This step has been undertaken based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc across the country. The funds have been released as immediate assistance to the states, without waiting for the utilization certificate of the amount provided in the previous financial year.
State-wise Allocation of Funds:
The released amount of Rs. 7,532 crore has been allocated to the respective State Disaster Response Funds as follows:
| S.No. | State | Amount (Rs in crore) |
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 493.60 |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | 110.40 |
| 3 | Assam | 340.40 |
| 4 | Bihar | 624.40 |
| 5 | Chhattishgarh | 181.60 |
| 6 | Goa | 4.80 |
| 7 | Gujarat | 584.00 |
| 8 | Haryana | 216.80 |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | 180.40 |
| 10 | Karnataka | 348.80 |
| 11 | Kerala | 138.80 |
| 12 | Maharashtra | 1420.80 |
| 13 | Manipur | 18.80 |
| 14 | Meghalaya | 27.20 |
| 15 | Mizoram | 20.80 |
| 16 | Odisha | 707.60 |
| 17 | Punjab | 218.40 |
| 18 | Tamil Nadu | 450.00 |
| 19 | Telangana | 188.80 |
| 20 | Tripura | 30.40 |
| 21 | Uttar Pradesh | 812.00 |
| 22 | Uttrakhand | 413.20 |
Relaxation of Guidelines:
In response to the urgent situation caused by heavy rains, the guidelines have been relaxed, allowing for the immediate release of funds to the states without waiting for the utilization certificate of the amount provided in the previous financial year. This flexibility will expedite the provision of aid to the affected regions, ensuring timely relief efforts.
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF):
Under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is instituted in every state. It serves as the primary fund available to state governments for responding to notified disasters. The Central Government contributes 75% to the SDRF in general states and 90% in North-East and Himalayan states. In accordance with the Finance Commission’s recommendation, the Central government’s annual contribution is disbursed in two equal installments.
Utilization of SDRF:
Under normal circumstances, funds from the SDRF are released upon receipt of a utilization certificate for the amount provided in the earlier installment, along with a report on the activities undertaken by the State Government. However, given the urgency of the situation, these requirements have been waived for the current release of funds. The SDRF funds are specifically designated for providing immediate relief to victims affected by notified calamities, including cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloud bursts, pest attacks, frost, and cold waves.
Allocation and Central Contribution:
As per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Central Government has allocated Rs. 1,28,122.40 crore for the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26. Out of this amount, the Central Government’s share is Rs. 98,080.80 crore. Prior to the current release, the Central Govt had already disbursed Rs. 34,140.00 crore. With this latest release, the total amount of Central share released to State Governments for SDRF purposes now stands at Rs. 42,366 crore.
