Centre Approves Advance Release Of Rs 180 Cr To Flood-hit Himachal Pradesh

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday approved the advance release of Rs 180 crore to flood-hit Himachal Pradesh, as the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

According to an official statement, the disbursement of cash will assist the state government in implementing relief efforts for those impacted by the monsoon. According to the statement, the home minister allowed the advance release of the second instalment of the central share of the SDRF as a temporary assistance for Himachal Pradesh, totaling Rs 180.40 crore for 2023–24.

It may be recalled that on 10 July, the central government released the first instalment of the central share of Rs 180.40 crore to the state from the SDRF to support those affected in Himachal Pradesh.

According to a statement, the central government has given the state government of Himachal Pradesh all the logistical and financial support it needs to deal with the situation brought on by flash floods, floods, cloudbursts, and landslides. In total, 11 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with rescue boats and other necessary equipment have been deployed for rescue operations.

The 205 Army Aviation Squadron and one column of the 1 PARA SF have also been stationed in Paonta Sahib for the purpose of evacuating civilians. For evacuation missions, two MI-17V5 helicopters have been sent.

Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) have also been established by the federal government to assess the situation and the relief efforts being made by the Himachal Pradesh government in real time. On 17 July, the IMCTs would start conducting fieldwork.

The statement said the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has already released of Rs 10,031.20 crore as central share of SDRF to 27 states during the year 2023-24.