(a) whether the Government has set up a committee to revise natural calamities assistance norms;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the committee has since given its recommendations;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon;
(e) whether the Government has identified the natural calamities-prone areas in the country;
(f) if so, the details in this regard; and
(g) the steps taken by the Government to tackle calamities in those areas?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGHUPATHY)
(a) to (g): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 318 for answer on 17th August, 2004 regarding norms for natural calamities assistance
(a) & (b): The Government of India had setup a Committee on 20th July 2004 to review the norms of expenditure from the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF)/National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). The Committee comprised of Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, as Chairperson and Secretaries of the Department of Expenditure, Rural Development, Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs and Relief Commissioners of the States of Gujarat, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, as members.
(c) & (d): The recommendations of the Committee are given in the Annexure.
The recommendations of the Committee have been accepted with the modification that in areas where other schemes/ projects are not in operation, relief wage employment may be provided to one person from every rural household for 15 days in a month subject to the stipulation of assessment of the actual requirement on a case by case basis as recommended by the Committee.
(e) & (f): India is vulnerable to various natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions. Floods, drought, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides have been recurrent phenomena. About 60% of the landmass is prone to seismic activities of various intensities, over 40 million hectares is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought.
(g): The State Governments are primarily responsible for relief and rehabilitation in the wake of natural calamities. The Government of
India supplements the efforts of the State Governments, wherever necessary, by extending financial and logistic support.
The Government of India have initiated various programmes covering preparedness and mitigation, which includes institutional mechanism, public awareness and community participation, early warning system, Human Resources Development, Emergency Operations Centers, Specialized teams for emergency response and mitigation measures.
Annexure
Recommendation of the Committee to further review norms of expenditure from CRF/NCCF
Input Subsidy to Larger Farmers: Input Subsidy to farmers other than Small & Marginal Farmers in case of severe natural calamity occurring for second consecutive year (or subsequent year) subject to the condition that the subsidy may be payable @ Rs.1000 per hectare subject to a limit of 2 hectare per farmer.
Liberalising Norms of Relief Employment: Only to meet calamities related additional requirement after taking into account funds available under various plan schemes with elements of employment generation. Daily wages to be at par with minimum wage for unskilled labourers prescribed by the State Government concerned. Contribution from Relief Funds to be restricted to foodgrains @ 5 Kg. per person per day (SGRY-Special Component) and Rs. 15 per person per day (CRF/NCCF) for 10 days a month. The balance, if any, between the minimum wages and this support may be borne by the State Government concerned. Work to be provided to one person from every willing rural house-hold in the affected areas subject to the assessment of actual demand on a case-to-case basis.
Animal Husbandry – assistance to Small & Marginal Farmers/ Agricultural Labourers:
In order to remove ambiguity in the existing items and norms of expenditure relating to cattle care, the Committee recommended the following:
Item Recommended Norms
i) Replacement of draught/ milch Animals or i) As per the rates prescribed Under appropriate animals actually used for haulage. schemes of Ministry of Rural Development
ii) Provision of fodder in cattle camps ii) Large Animals- Rs. 12 per day other Animals- Rs. 6.00 per day
iii) Water supply in Cattle Camps iii) As per assessment on a case-to-case basis.
iv) Additional Cost of medicines and vaccine iv) As per assessment on a case-to-case basis. (calamity related requirements)
v) Supply of fodder outside Cattle camps v) Additional expenditure on transport to neutralize calamity related Price rise to be determined on case-to-case basis.
vi) Movement of useful cattle to Other areas. vi) On expert assessment of Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying on a scheme being submitted in this behalf by the State Government Concerned.