Patna, Nov 10 (PTI) The Bihar government will constitute the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) for the financial years 2026-27 to 2030-31 in line with the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary here on Tuesday.
According to the approved proposal of the Disaster Management Department (DMD), the Centre and the state will contribute to both funds in the ratio of 75:25.
"SDRF will be used for immediate response and relief operations during natural disasters and localised calamities, as well as recovery and reconstruction activities. It will also fund the restoration and reconstruction of damaged public and community infrastructure, in accordance with norms approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs," said the proposal.
The SDMF, on the other hand, will finance projects aimed at reducing the risks and impact of natural disasters and localised calamities.
Both funds will be administered by the State Executive Committee constituted under Section 20 (1) and (2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Disaster Management Department will provide secretarial assistance to the committee, it added.
The funds will remain operational for the specified five-year period and until further orders.
The Cabinet also granted approval for an advance from the Bihar Contingency Fund for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) by the Rural Development Department.
"The approved amount of Rs 1,399.6028 crore will be withdrawn from the Bihar Contingency Fund. With the approval of this amount, selected homeless rural families under the scheme will be able to receive financial assistance on time to construct their own permanent (pucca) houses", said the approved proposal of the Rural Development Department.
