New Delhi: With a vision of disaster-resilient India, a High-Level Committee, under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, today approved three projects of Rs.725.62 crore under “Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the states” for Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal.
The High-Level Committee comprising the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog approved Rs. 147.76 crore for Chhattisgarh, Rs. 201.10 crore for Odisha and Rs. 376.76 crore for West Bengal.
It may be recalled the Central Government has allocated Rs. 5000 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for “Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States”.
Proposals of 15 states at a total outlay of Rs. 2542.12 crore have already been approved and more than Rs. 21,026 crore has already been released to the states this year. This includes Rs. 14,878.40 crore from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to 26 States, Rs. 4,637.66 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to 15 States, Rs. 1,385.45 crore from State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 11 States and Rs. 124.93 crore from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to 03 States.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated it has taken several initiatives to ensure effective management of disasters in the country. “A number of steps have been taken to prevent any extensive loss of life and property during disasters by strengthening the disaster risk reduction system in India,” it stated.
– global bihari bureau
