On February 2, 2026, Lok Sabha addressed Unstarred Question No. 361 regarding relief to cyclone-affected farmers. Km. Sudha R. inquired about preliminary losses for Coastal Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Ditwah, compensation to affected farmers, and planned loan waivers or subsidies.
Minister of State for Finance (Shri Pankaj Chaudhary) responded that disaster management is primarily the responsibility of State Governments, who provide financial relief from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Additional assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is available for severe disasters. The Ministry of Finance released Rs 992.00 crore from the central share of SDRF for F.Y. 2025-26 to the State Government of Tamil Nadu for relief measures related to natural calamities, including Cyclone Ditwah. No proposal for financial assistance for special loan waivers or subsidies of the State Government of Tamil Nadu is pending in this Ministry.
Key Entities Referenced
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF): Fund used to provide financial relief to people affected by notified natural calamities.
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF): Fund used to extend additional financial assistance in the event of a disaster of a severe nature.
Ministry of Finance: Union ministry responsible for answering the parliamentary question and releasing funds.
Tamil Nadu: Coastal state affected by Cyclone Ditwah, recipient of financial aid for relief measures.
National Disaster Management Policy: Policy that assigns primary responsibility for disaster management to State Governments.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 361
Answered on Monday, February 02, 2026/ Magha 13, 1947 (Saka)
Relief to Cyclone Affected Farmers
361. Km. Sudha R:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) the total value of preliminary losses estimated for Coastal Tamil Nadu due to the effect of cyclone
Ditwah along with the number of farmers and farmlands affected;
(b) whether the Government has provided any compensation to the affected farmers or people, if
so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has planned any special loan waivers or subsidies for the affected
agricultural areas, if so, the details thereof ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c): As per the National Disaster Management Policy, the primary responsibility for disaster
management, including undertaking an assessment of the preliminary losses of a natural
calamity(ies), rests with the State Governments concerned. The State Governments provide
financial relief to the affected people (including farmers) in the event of notified natural calamities
from the SDRF, already placed at its disposal, in accordance with approved items and norms of the
Government of India (GOI). However, in the event of a disaster of a severe nature, additional
financial assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid
down procedure.
Based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Finance
has released an amount of Rs 992.00 crore of central share of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)
for the F.Y 2025-26 to the State Government of Tamil Nadu to undertake relief measures in the
wake of natural calamities including cyclone Ditwah. No proposal for financial assistance for
special loan waivers or subsidies of the State Government of Tamil Nadu is pending in this Ministry.
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