New Delhi [India], October 28 (HBTV): Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has approved the advance release of INR 20 crore as the second instalment of the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Nagaland for the year 2025–26, to help the state provide immediate relief to people affected by extremely heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides during this year’s southwest monsoon, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a release on Tuesday.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Government of India has been extending comprehensive support to state governments during natural calamities and disasters, the release added.
According to the MHA, during the financial year 2025–26, the Central Government has already released INR 15,554 crore to 27 states under the SDRF and INR 2,267.44 crore to 15 states under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Additionally, INR 4,571.30 crore has been released from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 21 states and INR 372.09 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to nine states.
The Central Government has also provided logistical assistance, including the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, the Army, and the Air Force, to all flood-, landslide-, and cloudburst-affected states. During this year’s monsoon, the NDRF had its maximum deployment of 199 teams across 30 states and union territories for rescue and relief operations, the release stated.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed satisfaction over the surrender of 21 Maoists along with their arms in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh.
In a post on X, Shah said, ‘Glad to share that 21 Maoists have surrendered along with their arms in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh. Out of them, 13 were senior cadres. I commend them for joining the mainstream, abjuring violence at the call of the Modi government. I reiterate my appeal to those who are still wielding guns to surrender at the earliest. We are resolved to eradicate Naxalism by 31st March 2026.’
A total of 21 Maoist cadres, including 13 women, surrendered with 18 weapons in the Kanker district on Sunday, Bastar Inspector General P. Sundarraj said.
According to the official, the cadres were part of the Kuemari/Kiskodo Area Committee of Keshkal Division (North Sub Zonal Bureau). Among those who surrendered were four Division Committee Members, including Division Committee Secretary Mukesh, nine Area Committee Members, and eight party members who have now joined the mainstream.
(ANI)