Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified on Tuesday that state governments cannot utilize disaster relief funds to finance welfare schemes or “freebies.” He emphasized that disaster management resources must be allocated strictly according to established guidelines set by the Finance Commission.
Shah was responding to a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Disaster Management Act, 2024, which was officially passed on Tuesday. The Lok Sabha had previously approved the amendment in December last year.
States Must Adhere to Norms for Disaster Relief
“The Finance Commission has established clear norms regarding financial assistance for disaster relief. Compensation is predetermined—for instance, a specific amount is allocated if a hut is destroyed, and a different amount if a concrete house collapses. States should submit their requests based on these norms,” Shah stated.
He firmly opposed the misuse of disaster relief funds for populist measures, adding, “The freebies that state governments distribute cannot be financed through disaster management funds.”
No Political Bias in Disaster Fund Allocation
Addressing concerns of political favoritism in fund disbursement, Shah stated that the Narendra Modi-led government has strictly followed the scientific methodology developed by the Finance Commission, ensuring fair allocation of disaster relief resources.
“Some have alleged bias in fund distribution, but if there is any such bias, it stems from the Disaster Management Act of 2005, which was enacted by the UPA government. The Modi administration has not withheld even a single rupee that states are entitled to,” he asserted.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Centralized Control
During the discussion, opposition members, including Congress MP Jebi Mather Hisham and CPI(M) MP A A Rahim, questioned the allocation of disaster relief funds to Kerala, particularly in light of last year’s Wayanad landslide. Rahim criticized the Centre for granting “insufficient funds” to a state frequently affected by natural disasters.
Trinamool Congress MP Ritabrata Banerjee also expressed concerns over excessive centralization in fund allocation, arguing that disaster severity is not always considered in prompt fund disbursal. “States remain at the mercy of the Union government,” he said.
Congress MP Neeraj Dangi, meanwhile, pointed to the alleged lack of transparency in managing funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly concerning the PM-CARES fund.
Amit Shah Defends COVID-19 Response and PM-CARES Fund
Shah strongly defended the Modi government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, calling India’s pandemic response “one of the best in the world.” He highlighted achievements such as vaccine development, mass inoculation, and the implementation of telemedicine to assist doctors in saving lives.
“We provided vaccines to everyone, but instead of appreciating the efforts, some indulged in politics over it. When we called for a ‘Janta Curfew’ and asked people to beat ‘thalis’ and light ‘diyas,’ we were mocked. Ironically, those who mocked us turned into jokes themselves, and the people of India elected Modi once again,” Shah remarked.
Regarding the PM-CARES fund, Shah assured that every rupee was used transparently. “The funds were allocated for oxygen plants, ventilators, and vaccines. Unlike scams like Bofors and 2G, which defined Congress’s tenure, the Modi government has maintained complete transparency in fund utilization,” he added.
A Shift Towards Proactive Disaster Management
Shah outlined the objectives of the Disaster Management Act amendments, stating that the government aims to transition from a reactive to a proactive approach.
Key priorities of the revised policy include:
✅ AI-driven real-time disaster monitoring
✅ Greater public participation in disaster response
✅ A shift from government-led efforts to a multidimensional response involving society and citizens
With these reforms, the Modi government seeks to strengthen India’s disaster preparedness while ensuring that relief funds are used solely for their intended purpose.
