The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched the “Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States,” allocating a substantial amount of Rs. 5,000 Crore. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, announced this scheme during a meeting with Ministers of Disaster Management from the States and Union Territories in New Delhi on June 13, 2023. The primary objective of the scheme is to strengthen fire services across the country and enhance India’s disaster resilience.
The scheme aims to expand and modernize fire services in the states by focusing on preparedness and capacity-building components through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). State governments will be required to contribute 25% of the total cost, with the exception of North-Eastern and Himalayan (NEH) states, which will contribute 10% from their budgetary resources.
Based on the recommendation of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC), the scheme allows an allocation of 12.5% from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the Funding Window of Preparedness and Capacity Building. A significant amount of Rs. 5,000 Crore has been earmarked from the NDRF corpus for the priority project of “Expanding and Modernization of Fire Services.” It is important to note that projects sanctioned under the scheme must be completed within the specified award period to avoid any spill-over of liabilities.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, various key initiatives are being implemented to achieve the goal of ‘zero death’ and minimal property loss during disasters. Strengthening the disaster risk reduction system in India is a crucial step towards building a disaster-resilient nation.