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Bihar Budget Session Ends in Uproar; SDRF Expansion Dominates Final Day

The final day of Bihar's Budget Session was marked by significant uproar, with disaster management taking center stage. Legislators, led by Begusarai MLA Kundan Kumar, demanded the State Disaster Response Force be deployed at the subdivision level, citing over 2,500 drowning deaths in 2024-25. In response, Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary assured the House that an SDRF expansion program is underway, with plans to gradually reach the subdivision level. The issue is expected to remain a key point of discussion as the government strengthens disaster infrastructure.

Key Points: Bihar Assembly Uproar Over SDRF Expansion | Budget Session

  • Heated exchanges in Assembly
  • Demand for SDRF at subdivision level
  • 2,547 drowning deaths cited
  • Govt says expansion underway
  • Aim for faster emergency response
2 min read

Uproar marks final day of Bihar Budget Session; SDRF expansion takes centre stage

Bihar's Budget Session ends with uproar as MLAs demand SDRF deployment at subdivision level for faster disaster response, citing drowning deaths.

"2,547 people lost their lives due to drowning during 2024-25 - Kundan Kumar"

Patna, Feb 27

The final day of the Budget Session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly witnessed significant uproar in both Houses on Friday. While several important issues were taken up for discussion, leaders from the ruling alliance were also seen cornering their own government over various concerns and the issue of State Disaster Response Force expansion also took centre stage.

Amid the heated exchanges, a crucial issue related to disaster management dominated proceedings, with Legislators demanding the deployment of the SDRF at the subdivision level.

Raising the matter in the Assembly, Begusarai MLA Kundan Kumar stated that 2,547 people lost their lives due to drowning during 2024-25.

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 the demand.

They argued that due to the absence of SDRF teams at the grassroots level and inadequate resources, timely relief operations often fail to reach victims, resulting in greater loss of life.

Responding to the concerns, Water Resource and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary informed the House that the SDRF was established under the vision of the present government and that its expansion program is currently underway.

He said the SDRF headquarters has been set up in Patna's Bihta and that personnel are receiving national as well as international-level training.

The government, he added, plans to gradually expand the SDRF's presence to the subdivision level to ensure faster response during emergencies.

The minister assured members that the objective of the government is to provide prompt and effective disaster response, minimising the loss of life and property.

The 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.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see MLAs from different areas like Sitamarhi and Chhatapur uniting on this. Disaster doesn't wait for district HQ teams to arrive. If the SDRF is getting international training, that's excellent, but the real test is how fast they can reach a village when the Kosi river breaches. Hope the expansion happens before the next monsoon. 🙏
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Vikram M
While the intent is good, I'm wary. "Gradual expansion" and "plans" are words we hear often. The uproar in the assembly shows even their own allies are not satisfied. The minister must present a concrete, year-wise rollout plan with budget allocation. Just having a HQ in Bihta isn't enough for the whole state.
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Ananya R
This is so important! My mama lives in a coastal district and every year floods are a nightmare. Timely response can save so many lives and livestock. Training is key, but deployment is everything. Hope they also focus on community awareness and early warning systems alongside SDRF expansion.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see state-level disaster management getting this focus. The scale of the challenge in Bihar seems immense. International training standards are a positive step. Effective local response teams are critical for climate resilience everywhere.
K
Karthik V
The figures are heartbreaking. Beyond deployment, what about equipment? Do they have enough boats, life jackets, communication gear for subdivision teams? "Upgraded resources" must be clearly defined. This cannot be a half-hearted measure. Jai Bihar!

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