Amit Shah Highlights India’s Progress in Disaster Management

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on ‘Disaster Management and Capacity Building’ in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Members of the Committee, and senior officials from various departments.

Amit Shah said that the Modi government has changed the approach towards disaster management from relief-centric to rescue-centric, resulting in significant prevention during disasters. He highlighted that in the last 10 years, many major policy-related and institutional decisions have been taken in the field of disaster management.

The Home Minister mentioned that due to the efforts of the Modi Government, there has been a 98% reduction in the damage caused by cyclones and a significant reduction in the casualties of heat waves. He also highlighted the construction of multipurpose cyclone shelters under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) and the training of community volunteers and government officials in cyclone mitigation.

Shah emphasized the need to spread awareness about disaster prevention at the district and gram panchayat level. He also highlighted the importance of community participation during disasters and the role of the Aapda Mitra Scheme and Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme in developing capacity at the community level.

The Home Minister mentioned that the Central Government has allocated significant funds for disaster management, including Rs. 1,28,122 crore for State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Rs. 54,770 crore for National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. He also highlighted the allocation of Rs. 13,693 crore for National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and Rs. 32,031 crore for State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) for the same period.

Shah highlighted India’s progress in early warning dissemination, with the India Meteorology Department (IMD) and Central Water Commission (CWC) providing accurate forecasts for floods and cyclones 7 days in advance. He also emphasized the importance of the ‘SACHET App’ in providing early warnings of disasters.

The Home Minister assured that information related to disaster management would be shared with all MPs.