STATE RELIEF COMMISSIONERS REVIEW
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
State Relief
Commissioners have reviewed Disaster Management keeping in view
the onset monsoon in different parts of the country in the capital
yesterday. The main focus of deliberation was on Disaster Mitigation
and Preparedness measures required to be taken by State Governments
depending on the situation. The incident command system which
is responsible for mobilizing and deploying resources in such
a situation was also an important item of discussion.
The Disaster
Mitigation and Preparedness measures was discussed in detail keeping
in view the shift in focus from post-disaster response to disaster
prevention, mitigation and preparedness. It came out in the meeting
that the Central Government and the State Government have initiated
several measures to meet the needs. In order to ensure a uniform
approach and to build emphasis on measures which are considered
crucial for strengthening the capabilities for disaster management,
the Home Ministry made several recommendations to the State Governments
from time to time, it was stated.
The meeting also
reviewed the progress made in the implementation of recommendations
by the Home Ministry earlier on subjects like:
- Conversion of State Department
of Relief & Rehabilitation into Department of Disaster Management.
- Setting up of State Disaster Management
Authority in each State.
- Setting up specialized search
and rescue teams.
- Setting up composite control rooms
at the state and district levels for coordinating law and order
as well as disaster management.
- Integrating disaster mitigation
aspects with development schemes and projects.
- Preparing specific hazard related
mitigation plans; and
- Inclusion of syllabus related
to disaster management in school text-books for class VIII,
IX and X.
The Relief Commissioners
reported the progress made on the matter. It came out in the meeting
that the State Governments are taking all steps for involving
all the concerned departments and maintaining better coordination
for mitigation, preparedness and response in a situation which
are multi-disciplinary activities involving a number of agencies.
The Operation
of Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and National Calamity Contingency
Fund (NCCF) also came up for discussion.
