New Delhi: A High-Level Committee chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today approved Rs. 2006.40 crore central assistance package for Himachal Pradesh to support its recovery and reconstruction efforts following the devastating floods, landslides, and cloudbursts that ravaged the state in 2023. Comprising the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, the committee greenlit the proposal under the Recovery and Reconstruction funding window of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), with Rs. 1504.80 crore designated as the central share. This financial lifeline aims to rebuild infrastructure and livelihoods shattered by the 2023 monsoon disasters, marking a significant step in India’s commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with states grappling with natural calamities.
The approval builds on earlier support, as the Ministry of Home Affairs had previously allocated Rs. 633.73 crore from the NDRF on December 12, 2023, to address the immediate aftermath of the same disasters in Himachal Pradesh. The latest funding is poised to facilitate long-term recovery, enabling the state to restore critical infrastructure, rehabilitate affected communities, and fortify resilience against future disasters. The central government has prioritised disaster management, emphasising a vision of a disaster-resilient India. Guided by Home Minister Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated it has implemented a raft of initiatives to strengthen disaster risk reduction systems, aiming to minimise loss of life and property through proactive measures and robust preparedness.
India’s broader disaster response framework underscores this commitment. In the financial year 2024-25, the central government has disbursed Rs. 20,264.40 crore to 28 states under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Rs. 5,160.76 crore under the NDRF to 19 states, ensuring resources are readily available for immediate relief. Additionally, Rs. 4984.25 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) has been released to 19 states, and Rs. 719.72 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to eight states, bolstering mitigation efforts. These funds are over and above the latest recovery package for Himachal Pradesh, reflecting a comprehensive approach to disaster management that blends immediate relief with long-term resilience.
The Central Government has also approved recovery plans for other disaster-hit states, including Rs. 1658.17 crore for Uttarakhand to address the 2023 Joshimath subsidence and Rs. 555.27 crore for Sikkim following the 2023 glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) incident. Beyond recovery, India is investing heavily in disaster mitigation, with Rs. 7253.51 crore allocated for projects targeting urban floods (Rs. 3075.65 crore), landslides (Rs. 1000 crore), GLOF risks (Rs. 150 crore), forest fires (Rs. 818.92 crore), lightning strikes (Rs. 186.78 crore), and drought (Rs. 2022.16 crore). These initiatives, the Union Home Ministry said, aim to curb the impact of recurring hazards, safeguarding vulnerable regions and communities.
– global bihari bureau
