New Delhi, Sept 07: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani has asked the states to set up state disaster management authorities which would act as a nodal agency in dealing with emergency situations.
"A state disaster management authority may be set up with powers to take decisions/give directions regarding mitigation and preparedness measures across the whole range of government functions," Advani said in an identical letter to the 28 chief ministers.
The letter was placed before the Delhi High Court, which
was hearing a PIL highlighting the poor disaster management in
the country. In view of Centre's submission, the PIL has since
been disposed of by a bench headed by Chief Justice B C Patel.
The Deputy Prime Minister also recommended to the Chief
Ministers to consider drawing up of disaster management plans
at the state, district, and block levels.
Advising them to change the focus and responsibilities of
the States' Department of relief and rehabilitation into prevention and mitigation, Advani said it should be renamed as
Department of Disaster Management.
Bureau Report
