The National Disaster Response Fund:
The National Disaster Response Fund was opened up for donation from individuals and institutions in June 2020, but according to information procured through Right to Information, it turns out that just about Rs 63,000 has been donated to the fund between July 13, 2020 and February 26, 2021.
- The National Disaster Response Fund is a fund managed by the Central Government and is used to “meet the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation” for any disaster situation.
- The NDRF supplements the State Disaster Response Fund in case sufficient funds are not available with the state funds to facilitate immediate relief in case of calamities of severe nature.
- It was earlier called the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) which had been operated as per the guidelines laid down by the 11th Finance Commission.
- In 2005, the Disaster Management Act (DMA) was enacted and this renamed the NCCF as the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Accordingly, the funds of the NCCF were merged into the NDRF.
- The NDRF was set up in accordance with Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- June 2020: The Finance Ministry has given approval to a proposal to allow individuals and institutions to contribute directly to the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) as per Section 46(1)(b) of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.
