The central government has approved ₹2,006.40 crore in aid for Himachal Pradesh under its Recovery and Reconstruction Plan in the aftermath of devastating floods, landslides, and cloudbursts that struck the state in 2023. The announcement was made following a high-level committee meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to disaster-hit states, the Home Minister’s Office (HMO) posted on X, stating: “The Modi government stands shoulder to shoulder with states in times of crisis.”
In addition to the latest assistance, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier released ₹633.73 crore in December 2023 for immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts in the state.
The high-level committee also included Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, who collectively reviewed and approved the funding under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)’s Recovery and Reconstruction window. Of the total ₹2,006 crore, ₹1,504 crore will be borne by the Centre.
According to the MHA, this aid is part of a larger national strategy under PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a disaster-resilient India. For 2024–25, the Centre has allocated ₹25,425.16 crore to various states through the NDRF and SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund).
Beyond Himachal Pradesh, the Centre has also extended recovery support to:
- Uttarakhand: ₹1,658.17 crore following the Joshimath land subsidence
- Sikkim: ₹555.27 crore for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)-related damage
Furthermore, the MHA has approved mitigation projects worth ₹7,253.51 crore to address diverse hazards, including:
- Urban floods: ₹3,075.65 crore
- Landslides: ₹1,000 crore
- GLOFs: ₹150 crore
- Forest fires: ₹818.92 crore
- Lightning: ₹186.78 crore
- Drought: ₹2,022.16 crore
The government reiterated its commitment to equipping states with robust disaster management capabilities, ensuring both immediate response and long-term resilience.