Lok Sabha Question No. 2647 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-09
Subject: Functional Strength of NDRF
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2647

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 TH  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 18, 1941 (SAKA)

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH OF NDRF

†2647. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU: SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  and  details  of battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) working at present;
- (b)  whether  the  NDRF  proposes  to  include  two  more  battalions  in  its force;
- (c)  whether  there  is  an  increasing  trend  in  the  annual  expenditure  on upgradation of equipments used in and bought for disaster management;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated to the NDRF during the last three years and the current year;
- (e) whether the thorough preparedness of the NDRF has been reviewed in view of unpredictable disaster in the country;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

- (g) whether there is a huge difference between the sanctioned strength and the actual strength of the NDRF and if so the details thereof; and

(h) Whether the Government proposes to fulfil the vacancies by the end of this year and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): At present 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Battalions

(Bns.) are functional. Their details are at Annexure.

(b):  Central Government has sanctioned four additional NDRF Bns to be located at Delhi (NCR), Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

(c) and (d):    Up-gradation of equipments in NDRF and resultant increase in  budget  allocation  is  a  continuous  process.    Details  of  financial expenditure on procurement of equipments by NDRF during the last three years and current year is given below:

(Rs. in Crores)

| Financial year           |   Allocated fund | Expenditure            |
|--------------------------|------------------|------------------------|
| 2016-17                  |            32    | 31.97                  |
| 2017-18                  |            33.72 | 33.70                  |
| 2018-19                  |            40    | 39.97                  |
| 2019-20 (Interim Budget) |            25    | 7.47 (till 30.06.2019) |

(e) and (f):    Operational preparedness and training of all the NDRF Battalions are regularly monitored and reviewed, in view of unforeseen disasters occurring in the country as detailed below:

- (i) Capacity Building programmes of NDRF as well as of various stakeholders including school safety programmes are undertaken to enhance preparedness of the community.
- (ii) Mock  Drills  of  the  Force  are  conducted  regularly  including mock drills for various stakeholders such as Indian Railways, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA), National Disaster Management  Authority (NDMA), Multi Accidental Hazardous Industries (MAH) and schools;

## L.S.US.Q.NO.2647 FOR 09.07.2019

- (iii) Improvement  in  response  time  of  actual  deployment  during disaster; and
- (iv) Training  and  capacity  building  of  State  Disaster  Response Forces  (SDRF)  and  other  state personnel  responsible  for ensuring response and relief measures;
- (v) International workshop/ field exercise are also undertaken by NDRF  to  acquaint  the  Force  with  the  latest  international standards;
- (vi) Functioning  of  NDRF  Academy  to  train  NDRF  personnel/SDRF personnel in various disaster management courses.
- (g) and (h):    As against, the total authorized strength of NDRF of 13923, 11,173 NDRF personnel are in place.  NDRF is a 100% deputationist force and personnel are deployed from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)  for  a  period  of  seven  years.  Filling  up  of  vacancies  on deputation is a regular process.

*******

ANNEXURE L.S.US.Q.NO.2647 FOR 09.07.2019

12 Battalion HQ Locations

| Name of NDRF Bn.   | Locations                    |
|--------------------|------------------------------|
| 01 Bn NDRF         | Guwahati (Assam)             |
| 02 BN NDRF         | Haringhata (West Bengal)     |
| 03 BN NDRF         | Mundali (Odisha)             |
| 04 BN NDRF         | Arakkonam (Tamil Nadu)       |
| 05 BN NDRF         | Pune (Maharashtra)           |
| 06 BN NDRF         | Vadodara (Gujarat)           |
| 07 BN NDRF         | Bhatinda (Punjab)            |
| 08 BN NDRF         | Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh)    |
| 09 BN NDRF         | Bihta (Bihar)                |
| 10 BN NDRF         | Vijayawada (A.P)             |
| 11 BN NDRF         | Varanasi (U.P)               |
| 12 BN NDRF         | Doimukh (Arunanchal Pradesh) |

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