National Disaster Response Fund

News: Central government has released calamity relief of ₹5,908 crore to seven states from the National Disaster Relief Fund.

Facts:

About the National Disaster Response Fund

  • It is a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster.

Background

  • National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) was renamed as National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) on in 2010 with the enactment of the Disaster Management Act in 2005

Features:

  • Constituted to supplement the funds of the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) in case there is a calamity of severe nature.
  • Located in the “Public Accounts” of Government of India under “Reserve Funds not bearing interest”
  • Monitoring:

o   Relief activities for calamities associated with drought, hailstorms, pest attacks and cold wave /frost: Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

o   All other natural calamities: Ministry of Home Affairs

  • Sources of Financing:

o   National Calamity Contingency Duty (NCCD) imposed on specified goods under central excise and customs

o   General budgetary resources when the requirement of funds goes beyond what is available under NDRF

 Additional Reading: NDMA, 2005