Switch to desktop mode for a better experience.
UID: EN-20241109-IN-04
Download
Meta Data
Source
Last Updated
Time Range
Periodicity
Expenditure on Relief for Natural Calamities refers to the financial resources allocated by governments, international organizations, or other institutions to address the immediate and long-term needs arising from natural disasters. This expenditure typically covers emergency response activities such as providing food, shelter, medical aid, and evacuations. It also extends to infrastructure repair, rehabilitation of affected communities, and rebuilding efforts. Relief expenditure is crucial for mitigating the adverse impacts of disasters like floods, earthquakes, cyclones, and droughts and aims to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible. Governments often have specific budgetary provisions for disaster relief, supplemented by international aid and donations during large-scale catastrophes. These expenditures vary significantly based on the disaster’s severity and scale, the affected region’s preparedness, and the available resources. In addition to immediate relief, governments also spend on disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies to reduce future vulnerabilities and long-term recovery costs.
The expenditure on natural calamity relief across India shows significant geographical and temporal variations from 2011 to 2023. The all-India figures demonstrate a general upward trend, with total spending rising from ₹1,369,178 lakh in 2011-12 to a peak of ₹6,013,579 lakh in 2020-21, followed by a decline in subsequent years. This peak during 2020-21 likely correlates with additional disaster management requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maharashtra consistently stands out as one of the highest-spending states, with particularly substantial expenditures in 2019-20 (₹1,095,848 lakh) and 2021-22 (₹998,551 lakh). This could be attributed to its large geographical area, diverse topography, and vulnerability to multiple natural hazards, including floods, droughts, and cyclones. Tamil Nadu also shows notable variations, with a dramatic spike in 2020-21 (₹1,202,170 lakh), potentially corresponding to severe cyclonic events or floods during that period.
Several states show exciting patterns of cyclical spending, suggesting regular natural calamity occurrences. Odisha, for instance, maintains relatively high expenditure levels throughout the period, reflecting its vulnerability to cyclones and floods along the coastal belt. Bihar’s expenditure pattern shows significant increases in recent years, particularly in 2020-21 (₹663,565 lakh), possibly due to recurring flood events in the Gangetic plains.
The northeastern states generally show lower expenditure figures, with Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Mizoram consistently spending less than ₹30,000 lakh annually. This could be due to either a lower incidence of natural calamities, a smaller geographical area, or limited fiscal capacity. However, Assam stands out among northeastern states with higher and more variable spending, including a negative figure in 2017-18 (-₹170,574 lakh), which might indicate an accounting adjustment or fund reallocation.
The data also reveals interesting trends in newer states like Telangana (formed in 2014), which shows moderate but increasing expenditure patterns. Union Territories like Delhi and Puducherry show relatively lower expenditures, though Delhi’s figures increased notably in 2020-21 and 2021-22, possibly due to pandemic-related disaster management expenses.
A striking observation is the substantial increase in overall expenditure across most states during the 2020-21 period, followed by a gradual decline in 2022-23. This pattern might reflect the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic period and the subsequent normalization of disaster relief spending. The data also suggests that coastal states and those in flood-prone regions generally maintain higher levels of disaster relief expenditure than inland states, reflecting their greater vulnerability to natural calamities.
Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.
hello@360analytika.com
Siliguri, West Bengal, India
Copyright © 360 Analytika | All Rights Reserved