Amit Shah-Led Panel Approves Rs 1,913 Cr Disaster Aid for Six States, J&K

New Delhi, Mar 13 (KNN) A high-level committee chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved Rs1,912.99 crore as additional Central assistance for Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir which were affected by natural disasters during 2025.

The assistance will be provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), subject to adjustment of 50 per cent of the opening balance available in the respective State Disaster Response Funds (SDRFs) for the year.

Of the total amount approved, Rs 341.48 crore has been allocated to Andhra Pradesh, Rs15.70 crore to Chhattisgarh, Rs778.67 crore to Gujarat, Rs 288.39 crore to Himachal Pradesh, Rs 158.41 crore to Nagaland and Rs 330.34 crore to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

An official statement said that the financial assistance is aimed at supporting relief and recovery efforts in the affected regions and comes in addition to the funds already released under disaster response mechanisms.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central government has released Rs 20,735.20 crore to 28 states under the SDRF during the financial year 2025–26. In addition, Rs 3,628.18 crore has been released to 21 states under the NDRF during the same period.

Further, Rs 5,373.20 crore has been released to 23 states from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) and Rs 1,189.56 crore to 21 states from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to support disaster preparedness and mitigation initiatives.

(KNN Bureau)