**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the government's response to a Lok Sabha unstarred question regarding flood relief distribution in Maharashtra, to be answered on December 16, 2025. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of state and central governments in disaster management, financial assistance provided to Maharashtra, and established institutional mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response. The information addresses questions about surveys, digital portals, policy amendments, and review meetings related to flood relief.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Disaster Management Responsibility:**
* The primary responsibility for disaster management, including relief disbursal, lies with the State Governments, as per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM).
* The Central Government supplements the State Governments' efforts by providing logistics and financial support.
* **Financial Assistance:**
* The State Government of Maharashtra has been allocated ₹4176.80 crore under the SDRF for the financial year 2025-2026, including Central and State shares.
* The Central share has been released in two installments of ₹1566.40 crore each.
* ₹1613.52 crore was stated as the opening balance on April 1, 2025, in the State Government's SDRF account.
* **Assessment and Institutional Mechanisms:**
* An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) was constituted on October 16, 2025, to assess flood damage in affected areas.
* The IMCT visited affected areas from November 3, 2025, to November 5, 2025.
* Additional financial assistance from NDRF is considered based on the IMCT report and the State Government's memorandum.
* Established institutional mechanisms exist at National, State, and District levels for disaster management.
* **Disaster Management Plans and Authorities:**
* The Disaster Management Act 2005 integrates disaster management into development plans.
* The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), revised in 2019, defines roles and responsibilities for disaster risk reduction.
* The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) prepares the State's Disaster Management Plan.
* The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) prepares the District Plan, with approval from the State Authority.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** Responsible for primary disaster management and disbursal of relief assistance. Allocated financial assistance from SDRF for flood relief.
* **Action Required:** Utilize allocated funds effectively for relief measures, prepare and execute the State Disaster Management Plan, and coordinate with the Central Government.
**Central Government**
* **Impact:** Provides supplemental support, logistics, and financial assistance to the State Governments for disaster management.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide necessary financial and logistical support to the State Government, and consider additional financial assistance based on the IMCT report.
**District Authorities (DDMA)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for disaster management planning and implementation at the district level.
* **Action Required:** Prepare the District Disaster Management Plan, coordinating with local authorities and adhering to the National and State Plans.
**Affected Citizens of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** Rely on disaster relief measures implemented by the State Government and supported by the Central Government.
* **Action Required:** Engage with relief efforts, provide feedback and suggestions, and follow guidelines provided by disaster management authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): Fund used by State Governments for relief measures in the wake of natural calamities.
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF): Fund that supplements the efforts of the State Governments and provides financial support for disaster relief.
National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP): National plan prepared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for disaster management.
Disaster Management Act 2005: Act that articulates the mainstreaming of Disaster Management in development plans.
Maharashtra: The state where the distribution of flood relief is taking place.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2628
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16TH DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 25, 1947
(SAKA)
DISTRIBUTION OF FLOOD RELIEF IN MAHARASHTRA
†2628. SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:
SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAVAN RAJENIMBALKAR:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any survey or public hearing was conducted by the Government
after distribution of flood relief in various districts of Maharashtra,
particularly in Dharashiv, to assess the transparency, effectiveness of relief
work and satisfaction of the affected citizens;
(b) whether any digital portal, helpline or local committee has been set up by
the Government to register and resolve citizen complaints related to relief
and rehabilitation in the affected districts of Maharashtra;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any amendments or improvements have been made in the policies
of National Disaster Management or SDRF on the basis of these complaints
and suggestions received;
(e) whether the Government is planning to hold regular review meetings
involving farmer representatives and civil society members to improve the
quality of disaster relief work in the future; and
(f) if so the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2628 FOR 16.12.2025
(a) to (f): As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the
primary responsibility for disaster management, including disbursal of relief
assistance on ground level, rests with the State Governments concerned. The
State Governments undertake relief measures in the wake of natural
calamities, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at
their disposal, in accordance with Government of India approved items and
norms. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State
Governments and provides requisite logistics and financial
support. Additional financial assistance is provided from the National
Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, in case of
disaster of ‘severe nature’, which includes an assessment based on the visit
of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). Financial assistance provided
from SDRF/NDRF is by way of relief and not for compensation of loss
suffered/claimed.
The State Government of Maharashtra has been allocated an amount of ₹
4176.80 crore (₹ 3132.80 crore Central share + ₹ 1044.00 crore State share)
for the financial year 2025-2026 under SDRF, of which the first and second
Installments of ₹1566.40 each, as Central share have been released to the
State. Further, an amount of ₹ 1613.52 crore has been stated to be available
as opening balance on 1st April, 2025 by the State Government in its SDRF
account.-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2628 FOR 16.12.2025
In wake of flood during 2025, an IMCT was constituted on 16.10.2025 for
visiting the affected areas of the State for on-the –spot assessment of
damages. The IMCT visited the affected areas from 03.11.2025 to 05.11.2025.
Based on the report of IMCT and memorandum from State Government, an
additional financial assistance from NDRF is considered as per the
established procedure.
There are well established institutional mechanisms at the National State and
District levels in the country to develop appropriate preparedness and prompt
response mechanisms for effective management of natural disasters.
Disaster Management Act 2005 articulates the mainstreaming of Disaster
Management in development plans. Hon’ble Prime Minister launched
country’s first National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) prepared by the
National Disaster Management Authority in June 2016. The plan was revised
in the year 2019 in consultation with all stakeholders. The revised NDMP
brings together all sectors, ministries and departments at the Central and
State level as well as district level functionaries and defines their respective
roles and responsibilities in disaster risk reduction.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is responsible for the
preparation of Disaster Management Plan of its State, after consultation with-4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2628 FOR 16.12.2025
local authorities, district Authorities and having regard to the National Plan
(NDMP) and guideline laid down by the National Authority.
The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is responsible for the
preparation of its District Plan, after consultation with local authorities, and
having regard to the National Plan (NDMP) and the State Plan, which is to be
approved by the State Authority.
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