Team Herald

PANJIM: Landslides in mining areas, heavy rains and gusty winds are among eight disasters notified as ‘local disasters’ wherein the victims would be eligible for relief from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). 

The Revenue Department has notified that damage caused owing to ‘local disasters’ such as State specific disasters – heavy rains, gusty winds, thunder and lightning, water logging in low lying/interior areas, boat capsize due to heavy rains and gusty winds, death due to drowning in flooded waters, railway accidents, aircraft accidents and landslides in mining areas are covered under the financial relief. 

As per recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission, expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims of State Specific Disasters within the local context in the State, which are not included in the Government of India notified list of disasters eligible for assistance from SDRF/NDRF, can be met from State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) within the limit of 10 percent of the funds available under SDRF, provided that the State has formally listed the State Specific disasters for inclusion and notified transparent norms and guidelines with a clear procedure for identification of the beneficiaries for disaster relief for such ‘local disasters’, with the approval of the State Executive Committee. 

The list of items and norms of assistance for providing relief to the victims of the State specific disaster from SDRF shall be the same as applicable for GOI notified list of disaster.