A location in Pherima visited and assessed by the Inter-Ministerial Central Teams on September 10, 2024. (Morung File Photo)
New Delhi/Dimapur, February 19 (MExN): The Union Government has approved Rs 170.99 crore for Nagaland as additional Central assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The amount was part of Rs 1,554.99 crore of additional assistance approved by the High-Level Committee (HLC), chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, for five states affected by floods, flash floods, landslides, and cyclonic storms during 2024.
The amounts approved for other states were: Rs 608.08 crore for Andhra Pradesh, Rs 255.24 crore for Odisha, Rs 231.75 crore for Telangana, and Rs 288.93 crore for Tripura.
According to a PIB press release, the additional assistance is over and above the funds already released by the Centre to the states in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), which had been placed at their disposal.
However, additional assistance of Rs1554.99 crore to five States is subject to an adjustment of 50% of the opening balance for the year available in the SDRF, it added, implying that they must first utilise half of their available SDRF funds before accessing the full approved amount from the NDRF.
The Central Government had deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to these states immediately after the calamities, without waiting for the receipt of a formal memorandum, the release maintained.
The approval demonstrated the resolve of the Central Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to assist the people of the five states affected by these natural disasters, it added.
During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs 18,322.80 crore to 27 states in SDRF; Rs 4,808.30 crore from NDRF to 18 states; Rs 2,208.55 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 14 states; and Rs 719.72 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to eight states.
In September 2024, the IMCT visited Nagaland to inspect the affected areas and assess the damage caused by incessant rain, which led to mudslides and landslides in several locations along National Highway-29 in Pherima, Pagala Pahar, Tseiphema, and Piphema.
The team also conducted on-the-spot assessments of disaster-affected locations in Zunheboto, while district administrations from Tuensang, Shamator, and Noklak briefed the team. Respective District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) from each district also provided appraisals of calamities during the 2024 monsoon season.
