Center not discriminating against non-BJP-ruled states while allocating relief funds: Minister

Union Home Minister Nityanand Rai on Tuesday dismissed accusations that the central government was discriminating against non-BJP rulers in disbursing relief funds.

Replying to a question on flood relief in Tamil Nadu, Rai dismissed allegations that non-BJP-ruled states were being discriminated against in the release of relief funds.

“In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very sensitive to the needs of the state government during any natural disaster and the central government provides all kinds of help during any crisis,” he said, refuting that Tamil Nadu was being discriminated against accusations.

He also revealed that the Tamil Nadu government still has Rs 2,013 crore reserved under the SDRF, which can be used for flood relief.

He said that under the present government, the inter-ministerial central team had been dispatched even before the state government requested it.

Rai said the total allocation for the National Disaster Response Force during 2010-15 was Rs 33,581 crore. This amount increased to Rs 61,220 crore between 2015 and 2020 and to Rs 1,38,122 crore in 2021-26, a growth of 282%.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the central government contributed an additional Rs 1,98,173 crore to the National Disaster Relief Fund during 2014-24, three times the amount in the previous decade.

The Minister of State for Home said that the central government provided additional funds of Rs 65,346 crore to the NDRF during 2004-14 and Rs 1,98,173 crore during 2014-24, which was three times the amount in the previous period.

Rai said that the Modi government is formulating a strong disaster reduction initiative with the goal of ensuring zero casualties in life and property.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)