Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) launched a “Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States” as a part of the allocation of Preparedness and Capacity Building Funding Window under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to strengthen the fire services across the States of India.
- The total outlay of the scheme is Rs 5000 crore and out of this, Rs. 500 crore is kept for to incentivize the States on the basis of their legal and infrastructure-based reforms.
Launch of the Scheme:
The scheme was announced on 13th June 2023, by the Union Minister Amit Shah, MHA and Ministry of Cooperation while chairing the meeting with Ministers of Disaster Management of the States/Union Territories(UTs) in New Delhi, Delhi.
Note:
- This scheme is a part of the initiatives taken to make India disaster resilient.
- The government of India has undertaken several key initiatives to ensure “zero deaths” and minimum loss of property during disasters by strengthening disaster risk reduction systems.
About Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States:
Objective: To expand and modernize Fire Services in the States with a view that activities for strengthening of fire services at the State-level through preparedness and capacity-building components of the NDRF will be ensured.
Funding:
i.For the projects and proposals under the scheme, the state government will contribute 25% of the total cost from their budgetary resources.
ii.The North-Eastern and Himalayan (NEH) States shall contribute only 10% of the total cost of such projects.
Background:
i.The 15th Finance Commision (XV-FC) for 2021-26, chaired by Nand Kishore Singh (NK Singh) recommended the allocation of 12.5% of each of the NDRF and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
- 10% of the total corpus of the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) is allocated for the funding window of preparedness and capacity building.
ii.Out of the total NDRF corpus, Rs 5000 crore was allocated for priority “Expanding and Modernization of Fire Services”.
About Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA):
Union Minister– Amit Shah(Constituency- Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat)
Ministers of State– Nityanand Rai; Nisith Pramanik; Ajay Kumar Mishra
