Centre has not got memorandum from TN on Ditwah cyclone relief: Union minister Nityanand Rai

CHENNAI: In a statement that could reignite the row over disaster relief, Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai has said the Centre did not receive any memorandum from the Tamil Nadu govt seeking financial assistance for the Ditwah cyclone/disaster that hit the state in 2025.

Rai made the remark in a recent letter written in Tamil to Sudha R, who had raised the issue during the Lok Sabha’s Zero Hour session on December 11, 2025, urging the Union govt to extend relief support to Tamil Nadu.

In his response, Rai stated that for the financial year 2025-26, Tamil Nadu had been allocated Rs 1,322.40 crore under the SDRF, including the Centre’s share of Rs 992 crore and the state’s share of Rs 330.40 crore. He said the Centre’s contribution had already been released in two instalments.

Additionally, he noted that Rs 330.60 crore had been allocated under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) for 2025-26, of which the Centre’s share of Rs 248 crore had also been released in two instalments.

He further stated that under the National Disaster Management Policy, the primary responsibility for disaster management and relief measures rests with the respective state governments. He added that the Centre supports states through logistical and financial assistance for rescue and relief operations.

The minister explained that relief assistance is provided through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in accordance with norms approved by the Union govt. In cases classified as disasters of a 'severe nature', additional aid from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is extended based on an assessment by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). He clarified that SDRF and NDRF assistance is meant only for relief measures and not as compensation for losses and damages.

At the same time, he assured that the central govt would continue to provide all necessary assistance to support the efforts of the state govt.