In a landmark decision, the Union Government has approved ₹2006.40 crore in central assistance to Himachal Pradesh for recovery and reconstruction following the devastating floods, landslides, and cloudbursts of 2023. The announcement came after a meeting of the High-Level Committee chaired by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah.

🔎 Committee Approval & Breakdown

The committee, comprising the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, reviewed Himachal’s proposal. Out of the total approved aid, ₹1504.80 crore will come from the National Disaster Response Fund’s (NDRF) Recovery & Reconstruction Funding Window.

Earlier, in December 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs had sanctioned an additional ₹633.73 crore under NDRF for the same disaster, reflecting the government’s responsive approach to state-level crises.

🇮🇳 Modi Govt’s Disaster-Resilient Vision

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the central government continues to walk hand-in-hand with states during disasters. The latest approval for Himachal is part of a broader vision to build a disaster-resilient India.

The government is actively working to strengthen India’s disaster risk reduction system through new funding and policy frameworks.

🌐 National Disaster Assistance: A Wider Net

This isn’t an isolated instance. Other affected regions are also receiving substantial aid. The Centre has approved:

• ₹1658.17 crore for Uttarakhand (Joshimath subsistence)
• ₹555.27 crore for Sikkim (GLOF incident 2023)

Besides, a range of disaster mitigation projects worth ₹7253.51 crore have been sanctioned. These include:

• Urban Floods: ₹3075.65 crore
• Landslides: ₹1000 crore
• GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood): ₹150 crore
• Forest Fires: ₹818.92 crore
• Lightning: ₹186.78 crore
• Droughts: ₹2022.16 crore

💰 Record Funds Released in FY 2024-25

As part of its ongoing disaster management strategy, the Centre has already disbursed:

• ₹20,264.40 crore to 28 States under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)
• ₹5,160.76 crore to 19 States under NDRF
• ₹4984.25 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 19 States
• ₹719.72 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to 8 States

🔗 A Joint Effort for Recovery

Disasters often disrupt not just infrastructure but also livelihoods. The swift financial and logistical support from the Centre underlines the Modi government’s commitment to cooperative federalism and swift disaster response. Efforts are also underway to ensure transparent and effective fund utilization.

To follow more updates on national disaster response and government welfare efforts, visit our homepage or read our editorial on India’s Disaster Mitigation Policies.