Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States

Recently, the Union Home Ministry has launched a scheme for expansion and modernization of fire services in the states.

The scheme has been launched from the allocation earmarked for the funding window for preparedness and capacity building under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

There has been a change in India’s approach towards disaster management in recent years. Earlier disaster management focused on post-disaster relief operations and response, but now the focus has shifted to disaster risk reduction.

The focus is now on early warning systems, prevention, mitigation and preparedness at the grassroots level. The scheme is based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. The commission has recommended allocation of 12.5% each to the NDRF and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the funding window for preparedness and capacity building.

Scheme Features:

• The objective of the scheme is to expand and modernize the fire services in the states.
• Out of the total corpus of NDRF, an amount of Rs 5,000 crore has been earmarked to give priority to expansion and modernization of fire services.
• A provision of Rs 500 crore has been made as incentive to the states based on their need for legal and infrastructure reforms.
• To avail the funds allocated under this scheme, the respective State Governments will have to provide 25 per cent of the total project cost from their budgetary resources.
• The North Eastern and Himalayan (NEH) states will have to contribute an amount of 10 per cent from their budgetary resources.

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF):

• With the enactment of the Disaster Management Act in the year 2005, the National Disaster Contingency Fund (NCCF) was renamed as the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
• It is defined in section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act).
• It is kept under “Interest Free Reserve Fund” in the “Public Account” of the Government of India.
• Public Accounts: It was constituted under Article 266(2) of the Constitution. It accounts for the flow of transactions where the government is acting only as a banker. For example provident fund, small savings etc.    

Source – PIB

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