New Delhi; In a groundbreaking d development, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the release of the second instalment of the Central share of the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). The amount is worth Rs 7,274.40 crore in advance to 23 states, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed on Friday.

Introducing the new norm, which will facilitate state governments to have adequate funds in their State Disaster Relief Fund, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah has approved the release of the 2nd Instalment of the Central share of the SDRF to the states.

The Relief fund for five states have already been released in advance, the 2nd instalment, amounting to Rs 1,599.20 crore. This step of the Centre government will facilitate state governments to have enough funds in their SDRF. 

The Central government on September 25 had issued an order revising the items and norms of assistance under the SDRF, making therein a provision for grant of ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the deceased due to Covid-19. This enabling provision in SDRF norms has been made so as to implement the guidelines issued by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on September 11 in compliance with the order passed by Supreme Court dated June 30.

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