Rawat seeks 100 satellite phones for U`khand

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has sought 100 satellite phones from the Centre in view of state`s vulnerability to earthquakes. In a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said as a long-term disaster management measure, the Centre should make available 100 satellite phones on a permanent basis to the state considering its hyper seismic vulnerability. The step is also necessary considering the amount of rain the state receives per annum, an official release quoting Rawat said. Besides giving the much-needed impetus to disaster management in Uttarakhand, these satellite phones will lead to better coordination among departments engaged in the exercise, the Chief Minister said.