Lok Sabha Question No. 1565 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-07
Subject: Irregularities in Distribution of flood Relief Funds
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1565

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 07 th  DECEMBER, 2021/AGRAHAYANA 16,1943 (SAKA)

IRREGULARITIES IN DISTRIBUTION OF FLOOD RELIEF FUNDS

1565.  SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  observed  irregularities  in  the  distribution  of flood  relief  funds  by  State  of  Kerala,  if  so,  the  details  regarding  the  same, district-wise;
- (b)  whether the Government has ensured that funds disbursed to Kerala under flood relief has reached the intended beneficiaries;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  provided  grants  to  the  State  Government  of Kerala for flood relief  operations  during  the  last  three  years,  if  so,  the  details regarding such grants?

## ANSWER

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

(a): This Ministry of Home Affairs has not received any report of irregularities in distribution of flood relief funds  by the State of Kerala.

(b)  to  (d):    The  primary  responsibility  for  disaster  management  rests  with  the State Governments concerned. The State Governments undertake relief measures  in  the  wake  of  natural  disasters  from  the  State  Disaster  Response Fund (SDRF), already placed at their disposal, in accordance with Government of

India's  approved  items  and norms.  Additional  financial  assistance is provided

## LS.US.Q.NO. 1565 FOR 07.12.2021

from  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF),  as  per  laid  down  procedure  in case of disaster of 'severe nature', which includes an assessment based on the visit of an IMCT.  These norms inter-alia provide for assistance to the affected people without any discrimination.

With regard to disbursal of relief fund, it is stated that under the guidelines of SDRF/ NDRF, the State Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been empowered to operate these funds.  Disbursement of relief on ground is the responsibility of the State Government through established channels of concerned district administrative machinery in accordance with the magnitude of  the  ground  situation.  As  per  existing  norms,  the  State  Governments  are required to ensure that all intended/ individual beneficiary oriented assistance is necessarily disbursed through the bank account of the beneficiary.

The details of allocation and release of funds from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)/ National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the State during 2018-19 to 2021-22 are given as under:

## LS.US.Q.NO. 1565 FOR 07.12.2021

## (Rs. in crore)

| Year                       | Allocation of SDRF   | Allocation of SDRF   | Allocation of SDRF   | Central Share of SDRF   | Release of      |
|----------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|----------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|
|                            | Central Share        | State Share          | Total                | released                | Funds from NDRF |
| 2018-19                    | 192.60               | 21.40                | 214.00               | 192.60                  | 2904.85         |
| 2019-20                    | 168.75               | 56.25                | 225.00               | 136.65                  | --              |
| 2020-21                    | 314.00*              | 105.00               | 419.00               | 314.00*                 | --              |
| 2021-22 (as on 01.12.2021) | 251.20               | 84.00                | 335.20               | 251.20                  | --              |

* It also includes 20% amount earmarked for State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF).

*****