Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna viewing seriously the disaster management in the State said that there would be no dearth of fund for this. He said that Rs. 25 lakh had been disbursed to all Districts and further Rs. 1 crore each would be sent to them very soon.
Chief Minister Bahuguna, reviewing the preparation of disaster management through video conferencing at Secretariat on Friday, directed the District Magistrates to ensure availability of Foodgrains, kerosene, drinking water, medicines, milk, necessary equipments and alternative shelters in all identified sensitive areas. He asked Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain to take the numbers of all Control Rooms of district and tehsil levels and have them randomly tested. He also stressed on publicizing these numbers through hoardings in National Highways and newspapers. Mr. Bahuguna directed the District Magistrates to impart sufficient training to officers and workers deputed at Disaster Control Rooms. He laid emphasis on maintaining coordination between districts and the Government and strengthen the communication system. He also asked the District Magistrates to maintain coordination with Para Military Forces, BRO and other institutions so that they could be contacted in the time of emergencies. He also directed the officers to conduct resource mapping.
Chief Minister Bahuguna, taking serious note of road blocks due to landslides, asked the officers concerned to ensure availability of shelter, drinking water, milk and food for those travelers stranded due to road blocks. He said that JCB machines be placed at sensitive zones so that blocked roads could be cleared immediately. He directed the officers to distribute 50 emergency lights each to every district to facilitate rescue and relief works during night time, besides satellite phones, Gas Cutters and other equipments.
Chief Minister Bahuguna said that no lackadaisical attitude in disaster management would be tolerated and stringent action would be taken against erring officers and workers. Stating that sufficient increment had been made in relief fund by the State Government, he instructed the officers to ensure timely disbursement of relief amount in district and tehsil levels to the victims. He also asked them to extend the time frame of the distribution of relief fund for SDMs and Tehsildars.
Also present during the video conferencing were Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Principal Secretary PWD S Raju, Principal Secretary Disaster Management Om Prakash, Principal Secretary Planning S Ramaswami, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DK Kotia, Commissioner Garhwal Region Kunal Sharma, Commissioner Kumaon Region Hemlata Dhaundiyal, district magistrates and other senior officers.
