New Delhi: The Central Government has sanctioned the release of the second installment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for Punjab, amounting to Rs 240 crore, to assist the state in ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation measures.
According to a notification issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, the funds are being transferred as part of the central share for the financial year 2025-26. The release comes under the guidelines of the 15th Finance Commission, which governs allocations for disaster management support to states.
Alongside Punjab, Himachal Pradesh has also received Rs 209.88 crore as part of its SDRF allocation. With this release, the Centre has disbursed a combined total of over Rs 449 crore to the two states.
Officials clarified that the funds are meant to be credited into the designated accounts of the respective State Governments for immediate use in relief and rehabilitation activities. These measures include restoring damaged infrastructure, providing aid to affected families, and strengthening preparedness against further disasters.
The Ministry has emphasized that the utilization of these funds must comply with operational guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. States are also required to submit utilization certificates for transparency and accountability.
The allocation comes at a critical time for Punjab, where large parts of agricultural land and rural infrastructure were severely affected by floods this monsoon. The fresh installment is expected to accelerate relief operations and help the state government extend urgent support to impacted communities.
