Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) the loss of life and property, other than the damage caused to crops, suffered by the Northern States, State-wise, due to severe cold conditions during the winter of 2007-08; and

(b) the assistance rendered by the Centre from the Disaster Management Fund to each State for assistance to those who suffered loss of the life and property with the rate of such assistance for lives lost and the property (homes etc.) damaged? 

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRMATI V. RADHIKA SELVI)

(a) & (b): Financial assistance to States is provided from the Schemes of Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) in the wake of notified natural calamities viz. cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm landslides, avalanche, cloud burst and pest attack. Natural calamities in the wake of which assistance is provided to the States are notified based on the recommendations of successive Finance Commissions. The Twelfth Finance Commission has considered requests for inclusion of more calamities including `cold wave` but have not recommended for their inclusion in the list of notified natural calamities. In view of this, this Ministry does not maintain information on damage caused due to severe cold conditions.

There is no fund called `Disaster Management Fund` operated by the Government of India. The State Governments are required to provide assistance to the people affected by notified natural calamities from the funds available in their CRF account in accordance with the approved items and norms.
However, in the event of natural calamities, which are not covered under the Schemes of CRF/NCCF, the concerned State Government may provide assistance to the affected people from its own resources.