Union Ministry of Home Affairs releases Rs 386 crore SDRF in view of COVID-19

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has released Rs 386 crore SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) as the first installment to the State government in view of the fight against COVID-19 and other disasters.

The total allocation of SDRF to the State for fiscal 2020-21 has been Rs 858-crore in the 90:10 funding pattern. According to this funding pattern, while the Central share of the Rs 858-crore SDRF comes at around Rs 772 crore, the State’s share comes at around Rs 86 crore. Last year, the SDRF fund for the State was put at Rs 559 crore.

According to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, such a quantum jump in the allocation of SDRF to the State is due to the 15th Finance Commission award that began from April 1, 2020.

SDRF are usually released by the Centre in two equal installments – the first installment in June-July and the second installment in December-January. However, this time around the first installment of around Rs 386 crore has already been released by the Union Ministry recently in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the State, the Department of Expenditure under the Union Finance Ministry has informed the State Revenue and Disaster Management Department of this.

The State government has already released Rs 99.27-crore SDRF of this fiscal to the district and sub-divisional administrations in the State for the fight against COVID-19 this. This funds can be spent for certain purposes like giving gratuity relief to stranded labourers, erecting quarantine centres and giving five kg rice to each of those who have not been covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

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