New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs on the theme “Disaster Management and Capacity Building” on August 19, 2025. The meeting was attended by Ministers of State for Home Affairs, senior MHA officials, and representatives from the NDMA, NDRF, fire services, civil defence, and the National Institute of Disaster Management.
Four-Pillar Policy: Capacity Building, Speed, Efficiency, Accuracy
Shri Amit Shah outlined that the Modi government’s approach to disaster response rests on four pillars—capacity building, speed, efficiency, and accuracy. This strategic shift, implemented since 2014, has led to remarkable outcomes, including a 98% reduction in cyclone-related damages and substantially fewer heatwave casualties. As examples, he contrasted the devastating 1999 Odisha super cyclone (which claimed 10,000 lives) to recent cyclones Biparjoy (2023) and Dana (2024), both handled with zero casualties.
He emphasized that under the Modi government, disaster management has evolved from a purely relief-centric approach to one centered on rescue, preparedness, and prevention, leveraging institutional, financial, and structural strengthening alongside a multidimensional policy framework.
Enhanced Funding and Institutional Reforms
The Home Minister detailed a major increase in funding for disaster response:
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Rs. 2 lakh crore allocated to State and National Disaster Response Funds (SDRF/NDRF) during 2014-24, up from Rs. 66,000 crore in the previous decade.
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For 2021-26, Rs. 1,28,122 crore is earmarked for SDRF and Rs. 54,770 crore for NDRF.
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National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF): Rs. 13,693 crore.
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State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF): Rs. 32,031 crore.
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Mitigation projects worth Rs. 8,072 crore approved under NDMF.
He highlighted that the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is driving further transparency, efficiency, and synergy.
Institutional Improvements and Rapid Response
Shri Shah credited the NDMA for advances in technology and policy, and the NDRF for effective ground-level implementation. Key highlights:
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Average IMCT response time for disaster-hit states reduced from 96 days to just 8 days.
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Under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), new cyclone shelters and early warning systems were built in five coastal states.
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Over 92,995 community volunteers and officials trained in cyclone mitigation.
He noted India’s leadership in early warning dissemination, with IMD and CWC providing accurate 7-day and real-time alerts for floods and cyclones.
Community Capacity Building and Modernization
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Aapda Mitra/Yuva Aapda Mitra Schemes: Over 1 lakh volunteers trained in 350 disaster-prone districts for immediate frontline response.
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Fire Services Modernization Scheme: Rs. 5,000 crore allocated for new stations, state training centers, and capacity building.
Next Steps and New Strategies
In view of recent cloudbursts and landslides, a special strategy is under formulation. The Home Minister stressed awareness creation at district and gram panchayat levels, and called for wide publicity of the SACHET app, which delivers early warning alerts to citizens.
Parliamentary Appreciation and Transparency
Committee members lauded the government’s measures. Shri Amit Shah thanked members and promised that all relevant disaster management information—including apps, guidelines, and details of fund allocations—would be shared with MPs for broader awareness.
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Source: PIB
