NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FUND (NDRF)

The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is a specialized fund set up by the Government of India to finance relief and response measures during natural disasters or calamities. It was established based on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission in 2010. The primary objective of the NDRF is to provide timely assistance to states and Union Territories (UTs) in the event of severe disasters, ensuring effective and coordinated response efforts.

Key features of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) include:

• The NDRF is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which provides a legal framework for disaster management in India.
• The fund is specifically earmarked for meeting the relief and response expenses incurred by state governments and UT administrations during natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, droughts, and other severe disasters.
• The NDRF receives contributions from the Central Government, with the primary corpus being replenished annually through budgetary allocations. Additionally, the fund can also receive voluntary contributions from individuals, organizations, and other sources.
• The management and administration of the NDRF are overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. The fund is disbursed to state governments and UT administrations based on specific criteria and guidelines established by the Central Government.
• States and UTs can utilize the funds from the NDRF to finance various relief measures, including evacuation and rescue operations, provision of food, shelter, medical assistance, and restoration of infrastructure and public services affected by disasters.
• The utilization of funds from the NDRF is subject to regular monitoring and audit to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with established guidelines.

Purpose

• To establish a legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India
• To empower the Central Government, State Governments and local authorities for effective management of disasters
• To institute a mechanism for coordination in the response to disaster situations

Key Provisions

• Creates a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the national level and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) at the state level, along with District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) at the district level.
• The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is a central pool of funds for emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation during disasters.
• National Plan and State Plans Mandates the creation of a National Plan for disaster management and State Plans aligned with the National Plan.
• Emphasizes proactive measures to reduce the risks of disasters, including early warning systems, vulnerability assessments, and disaster preparedness plans.
• Defines roles and responsibilities for various authorities during disaster situations, including response, relief, and evacuation procedures.
• Encourages community involvement in disaster management activities.

Significance

• The Act provides a much-needed legal framework for a coordinated approach to disaster management in India.
• It emphasizes not only response and relief but also proactive mitigation measures to minimize the impact of disasters.
• The Act empowers various levels of government to work together effectively during disaster situations.

Criticisms

• Some argue that the implementation of the Act has been uneven across different states.
• There are concerns regarding the adequacy of funding allocated for disaster preparedness and mitigation activities.

Reasons for the Severity

Government's Response

Federalism in India is characterized by a unique blend of unitary and federal features, reflecting the country's diverse socio-cultural, linguistic, and geographical landscape.

The features of federalism in India include

• India has a written constitution that delineates the powers and responsibilities of the central government and the state governments. The Constitution of India establishes a federal structure with a division of powers between the Union (central) and the states.
• The Constitution of India provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. The Union List includes subjects on which the central government has exclusive jurisdiction, the State List includes subjects on which state governments have exclusive jurisdiction, and the Concurrent List includes subjects on which both the central and state governments can legislate.
• The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the land, and both the central and state governments are bound by its provisions. Any law or action inconsistent with the Constitution can be struck down by the judiciary.
• India has an independent judiciary with the Supreme Court as the final interpreter of the Constitution. The judiciary acts as a guardian of federalism by adjudicating disputes between the central and state governments and ensuring that the division of powers is maintained.
• India operates under a dual polity, with separate governments at the central and state levels. Each level of government has its own executive, legislature, and judiciary, and they operate independently within their respective spheres of authority.
• While the Constitution of India establishes a federal structure, it also provides for a degree of flexibility to accommodate changing socio-economic and political realities. The Constitution can be amended through a prescribed procedure, which requires the consent of both the central and state governments.
• Unlike some federal countries where citizens hold dual citizenship (federal and state), India follows the principle of single citizenship. All Indian citizens are citizens of the Union of India, and there is no separate state citizenship.
• Integrated Judiciary While each state has its own High Court, the Supreme Court of India serves as the apex judicial body for the entire country. It has the authority to hear appeals from the High Courts as well as disputes between the central and state governments.
• The Inter-State Council, established by the Constitution, facilitates cooperation and coordination between the central and state governments on matters of common interest, promoting cooperative federalism.