Bhubaneswar: The Central Government on Friday approved Rs 179.64 crore additional Central assistance to Odisha under the National Disaster response Fund (NDRF) for the damage incurred during cyclone ‘Bulbul’ that wreaked havoc in most parts of coastal Odisha in November last year.
Apart from Odisha, funds were also approved for seven other States – Bihar, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Rajasthan and West Bengal for floods, landslides and drought occurred during 2019 and Karnataka for drought (Rabi) of 2018-19.
The High Level Committee under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved a total Rs 5,751.27 crore of additional Central assistance to eight States, including Rs 179.4 crore to Odisha.
“HLC approved additional Central assistance of Rs 5751.27 crore to eight States from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) subject to the adjustment of 50% of balances available in the SDRF account as on 1st April of the financial year – Rs 953.17 crore to Bihar (of this Rs 400 crore already released ‘on account basis’), Rs 460.77 crore to Kerala, Rs 177.37 crore to Nagaland, Rs 179.64 crore to Odisha, Rs 1758.18 crore to Maharashtra, Rs 1119.98 crore to Rajasthan, Rs 1090.68 crore to West Bengal for floods/ landslides /cyclone, drought (kharif) during 2019 and Rs 11.48 crore to Karnataka towards additional assistance under Animal Husbandry sector for drought (rabi) of 2018-19,” said Ministry of Home Affairs release issued by the PIB.
During the 2019-20, till date, Centre Government has already released Rs 10937.62 crore to 29 States, including erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir, as Central share from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and additional assistance of Rs 14108.58 crore to eight States under NDRF.