**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha regarding the implementation of relief schemes for farmers affected by natural disasters in Bihar and Maharashtra. It outlines the roles of the State and Central Governments, details fund allocation under SDRF/NDRF, addresses reported irregularities, and highlights measures for transparent disbursal of relief. The question was scheduled to be answered on December 2nd, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Disaster Relief Responsibility and Funding:**
* Primary responsibility for disaster management lies with State Governments, who utilise the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
* Central Government supplements State efforts with logistics, financial support, and additional funding from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for severe disasters, based on an assessment by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
* **SDRF/NDRF Fund Allocation (in Crores INR):**
* Details for allocation and release for Bihar and Maharashtra for 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 are as follows:
* **Bihar:** (1510.40, 1586.40, 1664.80, 1748.00, 1836.00)
* **Maharashtra:** (3436.80, 3608.80, 3788.80, 3978.40, 4176.80)
* Under NDRF, Bihar received Rs. 1038.96 crore and Maharashtra received Rs. 1056.39 crore in FY 2021-22.
* **Monitoring and Coordination:**
* The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare monitors and coordinates relief measures related to drought, hailstorm, pest attack, and cold wave/frost.
* The Manual for Drought Management, updated in December 2016, is used for effective monitoring.
* **Irregularities and Corrective Measures (Maharashtra):**
* Irregularities involving misuse of Tehsildar login credentials were observed in Maharashtra during 2023-24.
* A three-member inquiry committee was formed, and a preliminary report confirmed the misuse.
* The Divisional Commissioner was directed to investigate complaints in Jalna district.
* Suspensions and Departmental Enquiries initiated against multiple Revenue Officers, Panchayat Officers and Agriculture Assistants.
* **Bihar Irregularities**:
* No complaints/irregularities have been reported by the State Government of Bihar.
* **Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for Transparency:**
* State Governments are required to ensure disbursement of agriculture input subsidy within one month of receiving Central assistance from the NDRF.
* States are required to use Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure efficiency and transparency in fund transfers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** State Governments of Bihar and Maharashtra
* **Impact:** Responsible for the disbursement of relief assistance, managing disaster response, and utilizing funds effectively.
* **Action Required:** Ensure timely disbursement of assistance within one month of receipt, use DBT for transparent fund transfer, and adhere to drought management guidelines.
**Stakeholder:** Farmers affected by natural disasters (Bihar and Maharashtra)
* **Impact:** Receivers of relief assistance, dependent on the efficiency and transparency of fund disbursement.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required, but they are the intended beneficiaries of the relief schemes and have a vested interest in the proper management of funds.
**Stakeholder:** Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
* **Impact:** Mandated to monitor and coordinate relief measures.
* **Action Required:** To oversee relief efforts and ensure adherence to guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM): Policy that outlines the primary responsibility for disaster management, including relief assistance.
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): Fund used by State Governments for relief measures after natural calamities.
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF): Fund used to provide financial assistance in case of disasters of 'severe nature'.
Manual for Drought Management: Document published by the Government for effective monitoring and management of drought.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: Union ministry responsible for implementing relief schemes for farmers affected by natural disasters.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 304
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02ND DECEMBER, 2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF RELIEF SCHEMES FOR FARMERS
304. SHRI MANOJ KUMAR:
MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:
ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation of relief schemes for farmers
affected by floods, droughts and pest attacks in Bihar and Maharashtra during the last five
years;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the total funds allocated, disbursed and utilised under
such schemes during the said period;
(c) whether the Government has received any reports of irregularities, delays or misuse of
relief funds under these programmes in the State;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures taken to ensure timely and
transparent disbursal of relief assistance to affected farmers; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to introduce any digital or real-time monitoring
system to track relief fund flow and prevent fake or duplicate beneficiary entries in future, if
so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) & (b): 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 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 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).The details of the fund allocated and released under SDRF/NDRF to the States of
Bihar and Maharashtra is as under:
State Fund allocated / released under SDRF (Central Share + State
Share) in the last five years (Rs. in crores)
Year 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
Bihar 1510.40 1586.40 1664.80 1748.00 1836.00#
Maharashtra 3436.80 3608.80 3788.80 3978.40 4176.80
# Out of total Rs.1836.00 crore allocated,1st installment of central share of Rs.688.40 crore is released
for the FY 2025-26.
Under NDRF, State of Bihar was provided Rs.1038.96 crore and Maharashtra
received Rs. 1056.39 crore in the financial year 2021-22.
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is mandated to monitor and
coordinate relief measures in the wake of drought, hailstorm, pest attack and cold
wave/frost. The Manual for Drought Management was published in the year 2009 by the
Government for effective monitoring and management of drought. To promote the use of
modern technology, the Manual was revised / updated in December,2016.
(c) & (d): As informed by the Government of Maharashtra, irregularities regarding misuse of
login credentials of Tehsildar was observed for disbursement of relief funds during the year
2023-24.
A three-member inquiry committee was formed by Collector, Jalna. After
investigating 2 talukas in Jalna district, committee submitted a preliminary report to the
Collector, where, it was observed that the login credentials of the Tehsildar were misused.
The State Government of Maharashtra had directed the Divisional Commissioner,
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division, to conduct investigation of all complaints in Jalna
district.On the basis of report submitted to the collector by the 3 member committee,
headed by the Deputy Collector (EGS), 21 Gram Revenue officers (Talathis)/ Revenue
Clerks have already been suspended and Departmental Enquiry has been initiated against
36 Gram Revenue officers (Talathis), 17 Gram Panchayat Officers (Gram sevak) and 2
Agriculture Assistants.
No complaints/irregularities have been reported by the State Government of Bihar.
(e): As per provision 3.6 of Drought Manual, the State Governments, are required to
ensure disbursement of agriculture input subsidy to affected farmers within one month from
the date of receipt of Central assistance from the NDRF. The States are required to ensure
use of various instruments of Direct Benefit Transfer to beneficiaries will be employed to
ensure efficiency and transparency in the process of fund transfer.
*****