October 08, 2001

PANT COMMITTEE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS CENTRAL AND STATE LEGISLATIONS

    The High Powered Committee (HPC) on Disaster Management constituted by the Union Agriculture Ministry at the direction of the Prime Minister today Submitted its report to the Agriculture Minister, Shri Ajit Singh.

    The Committee headed by Shri J.C. Pant, former Union Agriculture Secretary, has made wide-ranging recommendations covering its various terms of reference including suggesting a national disaster response plan, a comprehensive list of disasters and Central and State level draft legislations have been proposed . The HPC has emphasized a "Culture of Preparedness". The Committee has advocated hazard evaluation and risk assessment, human resource development and updating of manuals etc. as key action points in this behalf.

    The Committee has also made extensive recommendation for putting in place a system of quick response through a well-equipped network of Control Rooms at the national, State and sub-State levels. Considering capacity building and community participation as the bed- rock of Disaster Management, a large number of recommendations have been incorporated to introduce networking of institutions and efforts to generate knowledge and awareness about disasters, to effectively involve the NGOs and to make full use of the media.

    The Committee has also made major recommendations about handling of work relating to disaster management at the national and State levels which would be subject to consideration of the National Committee on Disaster Management under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister as, the National Committee has been given the mandate of suggesting suitable legislative and institutional framework for dealing with disasters, both natural and man-made.

    The HPC has also been asked, with the approval of the Prime Minister, to act as the Working Group of the National Committee. As such, many of its recommendations will require consideration of the National Committee. Union Agriculture Minister has appreciated the extensive and sustained efforts by the HPC to collect and collate relevant information and to produce a voluminous report. The report of the Committee will be examined by the Government in the light of recommendations and advice of the National Committee.