CENTRE APPROVES RS 11,092 CRORE FUND FOR STATES TO DEAL WITH CORONAVIRUS

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Union Minister for Home Affairs Shri Amit Shah on April 03, 2020 approved the release of Rs 11,092 crore under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF), to all states to battle the coronavirus pandemic. The move comes a day after the assurance given by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his video conference meeting with chief ministers of the states.

“The Central Government has released in advance its share of first installment of State Disaster Risk Management Fund for the year 2020-21, amounting to Rs. 11,092 crores, with a view to augment funds available with the State Governments,” a press release said.

On March 14, Centre released a special fund for utilisation of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to make available additional funds for the state governments so they can utilise it for taking preventive measures to contain coronavirus.

The fund was meant to be utilised for setting up quarantine facilities, sample collection and screening; setting up additional testing laboratories, cost of consumables; purchase of personal protection equipments for healthcare, municipal, police and fire authorities; purchase of thermal scanners, ventilators, air purifiers, and consumables for government hospitals.

“Central Government is sensitive to the need for providing food and shelter to homeless people including migrant labourers, who are stranded due to lockdown measures. Accordingly, on 28.03.2020, the Central Government allowed the States Government to use SDRF for this purpose also,” the release said.