Is there a need for the creation of National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) ? How is disaster mitigation financed in India?
The objective of creation of National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) is for the projects exclusively for the purpose of mitigation. The purpose is being served by the existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes / Central Sector (CS) Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Krishonnati Yojana, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, MGNREGA, Major Irrigation projects, Namami Gange-National Ganga plan, River Basin Management, National River Conservation Plan and Water Resource Management. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has made a provision of 10% of total outlay for all CSS schemes (except for schemes which emanate from a legislation (eg. MGNREGA), as flexi fund.
Keeping in view the above, the Government feels that at present there are sufficient schemes to take care of mitigation measures in different projects and the need for creation of separate NDMF has not been felt.
Financial management of disasters is undertaken as per the mechanisms available in DM Act, 2005 and there is no fund namely Disaster Management Fund.
