India has declared COVID-19 as “notified Disaster”.
With this, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)are to be temporarily used for supply of food, medical care and water for patients in quarantine camps.
Under Disaster Management Act, 2005, the SDRF funds shall be used only for cyclone, earthquake, drought, landslide, hailstorm, cloudburst, avalanche, frost, pest attack and cold waves.
Critical Medical conditions or pandemic situations were not under the notified disaster lists.
Therefore, the Central Government has included COVID-19 outbreak under notified Disaster.
This will now enable the state government to utilize the funds for treating Corona Virus.
The SDRF funds which were constituted by Disaster Management Act, 2005 was recommended by 13th Finance Commission.