Parliamentary Panel Urges Boost for National Disaster Response Force

A parliamentary committee has highlighted the urgent need to bolster the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) amid expanding duties and emphasized the necessity for increased personnel and funding. The panel has urged the Union Home Ministry to assess and address manpower shortages and budget allocations effectively.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has not seen any additional battalion raise in the past three years, according to a recent parliamentary panel report. Despite its mounting responsibilities, the NDRF's personnel numbers remain below the authorized strength, raising concerns about its operational effectiveness.

In a report presented in Parliament, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, led by BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, underscored the critical role played by NDRF in both national and international disaster situations. However, the current personnel numbers (14,837) fall short of the authorized strength of 18,581, prompting calls for the Home Ministry to address the gaps swiftly.

The committee advocated for a review of deputation terms to attract more personnel and suggested that the Ministry of Home Affairs seek additional funding from the Ministry of Finance. Highlighting the growing frequency of natural disasters, the report stressed the importance of investing in advanced rescue equipment and infrastructure to enhance response capabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)