Patna, February 27 – The final day of the Bihar Legislative Assembly's Budget Session saw significant debate in both houses on Friday. While several important issues were discussed, members of the ruling alliance also raised concerns about their own government and the issue of expanding the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) also came to the forefront.
Amidst the heated discussions, a crucial issue related to disaster management dominated the proceedings, with legislators demanding the deployment of the SDRF at the subdivision level.
Speaking in the Assembly, Begusarai MLA Kundan Kumar stated that 2,547 people lost their lives due to drowning during the 2024-25 period.
He questioned whether SDRF teams could be deployed at the subdivision level instead of being limited to district headquarters, and whether the force would be strengthened with upgraded resources.
Several other MLAs, including representatives from Sitamarhi and Chhatapur, supported this demand.
They argued that the absence of SDRF teams at the grassroots level and inadequate resources often lead to delays in relief operations, resulting in greater loss of life.
Responding to these concerns, Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary informed the House that the SDRF was established under the vision of the current government, and that its expansion program is currently underway.
He said that the SDRF headquarters has been set up in Bihta, Patna, and that personnel are receiving training at both national and international levels.
The government plans to gradually expand the SDRF’s presence to the subdivision level to ensure a faster response during emergencies, he added.
The minister assured members that the government’s objective is to provide prompt and effective disaster response, minimizing loss of life and property.
This issue is expected to remain a key point of discussion as the government moves forward with plans to strengthen disaster management infrastructure across the state.
