Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, announced that the Indian government had approved a 40% risk of hardship and mitigation for rescuers in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) because of their hard tasks.
When welcoming a team of 35 expedition members of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) who have recently scaled the 21,625-ft high Mt Manirang in Himachal Pradesh.
“My government has just yesterday approved at 40% risk and hardship allowance only for NDRF personnel. This is long over due…all our 16000 personnel will benefit from it,” he said after receiving the team of ‘Vijay’.
They further said these allowances will be paid separately from salaries. Particularly due to special nature of duty they perform, Special Forces such as National Security Guard(NSG) and Special Protection Group(SPG) for example are entitled to Hardship Allowance amounting to 25%.
It was flagged off here on June 1. This is second time when a mountaineering expedition has been conducted by federal contingency force. Kinnaur district borders Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh.
Further, Mr. Shah pointed out that sports would be made part of the “culture” in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other special formations like NDRF; adding that one team each from these forces should participate as a must during both international and national tournaments.
An intelligence bureau director’s committee has been formed and roadmap finalized,” informed him. A new model shall soon emerge
Mr. Shah also stressed that bodies like NDRF should ensure zero casualty policy during disasters and no lives should be lost in any calamity it handles.
“we have come along way…the concept of zero casualties during disaster has been developed under PM Modi’s regime since ten years ago”, he explained.
Allocation towards capacity building and training of NDRF and state disaster response forces has been increased during the first term of his government by ₹2 lakh crore(2014-24) as compared to Rs 66,000 crore (2004-14).
Mr. Shah congratulated the NDRF team for making a successful expedition mentioning that such exercises will improve their capabilities and morale in order for them to do better during disasters and accident operations.
He cautioned the rescuers against complacency.
At present, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a federal contingency and disaster response force that was raised in 2006. And it now has over a total of 18,000 people involved in rescue operations nationwide serving within its16 battalions and 28 RRCs.
It deals with natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, train accidents among others which are either man-made or natural.
