Kerala to get Rs 347.55 crore under SDMF

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The state will receive Rs 347.55 crore from the Centre under the newly constitutedstate disaster mitigation fund(SDMF) that will be exclusively utilized for preparatory works to ensure mitigation of natural disasters.

The ministry of Home affairs has allocated the funds, to which Rs 115.85 crore will be contributed by the state as its share, taking the total to Rs 463.40 crore to be utilized for the next five years, on the basis of the recommendations of the 15th .
The state is expected to benefit immensely from the new funds as most of the districts have been complaining about shortage of funds for pre-monsoon activities like desilting, ensuring the smooth flow of storm water for averting chances of flooding, etc.

The SDMF will be used for those local level and community-based interventions,

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which reduce the risks and promote Environment-friendly settlements and livelihood practices. However, the Centre has specifically asked the states that large-scale mitigation interventions such as construction of coastal walls, flood embankments, support for drought resilience, etc. should be pursued through the regular development schemes and not from the mitigation fund.

The 15th finance commission had recommended Rs 32,031 crore (20% of state disaster risk management fund) for SDMF for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Except for the north eastern and Himalayan states, the Centre will contribute 75%, while the remaining 25% is to be contributed by states.