HM Shah Approves Rs 707 Crore Aid For Flood-Hit Assam And Gujarat

Union Home Minister Amit Shah-led High-Level Committee (HLC) has approved Rs 707.97 crore in additional Central assistance to Assam and Gujarat, both affected by floods and landslides in 2024, an official confirmed on Tuesday.

The government has earmarked Rs 313.69 crore for Assam and Rs 394.28 crore for Gujarat.

The funds are provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). This is subject to a 50 per cent adjustment of the opening balance available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

The High-Level Committee has also sanctioned Rs 903.67 crore under the NDRF. The funds are for the expansion and modernisation of fire services in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Central assistance accounts for Rs 676.33 crore of the total outlay. The government allocates Rs 117.19 crore to Haryana, Rs 397.54 crore to Madhya Pradesh, and Rs 388.94 crore to Rajasthan.

These allocations are in addition to the funds already released to states under the SDRF, ensuring rapid response and preparedness in disaster-affected areas.

During the 2025-26 financial year, the Central government has disbursed Rs 13,603.20 crore to 27 states under the SDRF. It has also released Rs 2,024.04 crore under the NDRF to 12 states.

Additional releases include Rs 4,571.30 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 21 states. The government has also released Rs 372.09 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to nine states.

The NDRF, established under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, supplements state SDRFs during severe disasters when state funds are insufficient.

The Central and state governments share contributions to the SDRF in a 75:25 ratio for most states. For North-Eastern and Himalayan states, the ratio is 90:10. The Centre fully funds the NDRF.

This ensures that both immediate relief and long-term disaster preparedness remain adequately funded across the country.

Also Read: Dr Shailendra Kumar Launches ‘The Cob (Web) Turns Twenty’ At TIOL Congress; Unravelling Global Tax Narratives