Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah on Friday approved the release of Rs 11,092 crore under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF), to all states to battle the coronavirus pandemic. The move comes a day after the assurance given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday during his video conference meeting with chief ministers of the states.
“The Central Government has released in advance its share of first installment of State Disaster Risk Management Fund for the year 2020-21, amounting to Rs. 11,092 crores, with a view to augment funds available with the State Governments,” a press release said.
On March 14, Centre released a special fund for utilisation of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to make available additional funds for the state governments so they can utilise it for taking preventive measures to contain coronavirus.
The fund was meant to be utilised for setting up quarantine facilities, sample collection and screening; setting up additional testing laboratories, cost of consumables; purchase of personal protection equipments for healthcare, municipal, police and fire authorities; purchase of thermal scanners, ventilators, air purifiers, and consumables for government hospitals.
“Central Government is sensitive to the need for providing food and shelter to homeless people including migrant labourers, who are stranded due to lockdown measures. Accordingly, on 28.03.2020, the Central Government allowed the States Government to use SDRF for this purpose also,” the release said.
The number of coronavirus cases is rising rapidly in India. In the last five days, the number of confirmed cases has risen by 102%. As of 9 PM on Friday, there are 2,567 positive cases in the country, including 62 deaths and 162 people who have been cured or discharged.
Source: dnaindia.com