Centre approves Rs 707.97 crore for Assam, Gujarat flood relief

New Delhi, Oct 7: The High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has approved additional central assistance of Rs 707.97 crore to Assam and Gujarat for flood and landslide damage during 2024.

The funds will be released from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), subject to adjustment of 50 percent of the available opening balance in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Of the total approved amount, Rs 313.69 crore has been sanctioned for Assam and Rs 394.28 crore for Gujarat. In a separate decision, the HLC also approved Rs 903.67 crore for expansion and modernisation of fire services in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The total outlay includes Rs 676.33 crore as central assistance, with Rs 117.19 crore for Haryana, Rs 397.54 crore for Madhya Pradesh, and Rs 388.94 crore for Rajasthan.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the approvals reaffirm the Union Government’s commitment, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, to stand shoulder to shoulder with states in times of natural calamities and disasters, ensuring timely and adequate support.

The additional NDRF allocation is over and above the funds already released to states under the SDRF.

During the 2025-26 financial year, the Centre has released Rs 13,603.20 crore to 27 states under the SDRF and Rs 2,024.04 crore under the NDRF to 12 states.

Additionally, Rs 4,571.30 crore has been released from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 21 states, along with Rs 372.09 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to nine states, the ministry said.