Lok Sabha Question No. 1493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Special Relief Package for Himachal Pradesh
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pratibha Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1493

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2023/ AGRAHAYANA 21, 1945 (SAKA)

SPECIAL RELIEF PACKAGE FOR HIMACHAL PRADESH

1493.    SHRIMATI PRATIBHA SINGH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has received a request for special relief package from the State Government of Himachal Pradesh for the rehabilitation  and  reconstruction  of  the  State  from  one  of  the  worst disasters witnessed so far during this monsoon;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  of  adequate  assistance/relief  provided  so  far  by  the Union Government after the disaster and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c)  whether  the  Union  Government  is  having  any  time  bound  plan  to provide special package to the State; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):  As  per  the  National  Disaster  Management  Policy,  the  primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the State Governments concerned.  The  State  Governments  provide  relief  assistance      to        the affected    people in the event   of   notified natural disasters, from the State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF),  already  placed  at  its  disposal,  in accordance with approved items and norms of Government of India (GOI).

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1493 FOR 12.12.2023

However, in the event of disaster of a severe nature, additional financial assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).

A request has been received from the State Government seeking a special relief  package.  In  order  to  support  the  affected  people  of  the  State,  the Central Government has released both the installments of central share of SDRF, amounting to Rs. 180.40 crore each to State, for immediate relief operations.  In  addition,  an  amount  of  Rs.  200.00  crore,  has  also  been released on an 'on account' basis from NDRF to the State Government on 21 st   August  2023.  Besides,  as  reported  by  State  Accountant  General,  an amount  of  Rs.  71.51  crore  is  available  in  SDRF  account  of  Himachal Pradesh  as  on  1 st   April  2023  for  management  of  relief  necessitated  by notified natural disasters including flash flood/ flood, cloudburst, landslides in the affected areas during 2023.

Further,  even  before  the  receipt  of  the  memorandum  from  the  State Government of Himachal Pradesh, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) visited the state on 19-21 st July 2023. After the submission of memorandum   from  the  State  Government,  IMCT  visited  on  28-30 September  2023  for  on  the  spot  assessment  of  the  damages  caused

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1493 FOR 12.12.2023

due to flood, landslides, cloudburst of 2023. The report of IMCT is placed before the Sub-Committee of National Executive Committee (SC-NEC)/ High Level Committee for consideration and approval of quantum of assistance from NDRF, as per the established procedure.

Further, as per the recommendations of the 15 th  Finance Commission, for recovery and reconstruction in the aftermath of severe disaster during the south-west monsoon this year, the State Government of Himachal Pradesh has carried out  Post  Disaster  Need  Assessment  (PDNA)  under  the technical  guidance  of  National  Disaster  Management  Authority  (NDMA) and submitted the same to the Central Government.

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