GOVERNOR: Create disaster management authorities at Taluka level

Chandigarh, January 9, 2013: Wars are made by man and  disasters can also be caused by activities of human beings.  But, generally, they are caused by the movements of forces in nature.  Nature made disasters can not always be predicted and prevented.  Wars and man made disasters can be predicted and prevented.  When nature made disasters occurs, human beings can take steps to mitigate the losses and difficulties caused by them. 

Expressing these views while speaking in a high level meeting for awareness generation and conduct of Mock- drill Exercise the Punjab Governor and Administrator UT Chandigarh, Shivraj V. Patil said that lot of thinking , planning and preparations was needed to lessen the losses and difficulties, caused by them. 

Patil said that disaster management authorities were set up at Union and State levels but not in all 650 districts of the country. He asked the senior officers representing Chief Ministers of their respective states to inform their Chief Ministers to take all necessary steps to create Disaster Management Authorities even at Taluka level to get desired results. He said if these authorities were created, they  would, certainly be proved very useful.

He also stressed on appointing Nodal officers at all levels. He said that the objectives in this respect can be achieved only if all the governments, i.e., national, state, district, taluka and local governments and bodies and the people function in cooperation with one another.

The Governor said the NDMA has done well in formulating some policies and plans, in collecting the necessary wherewithal, and in helping the governments at different levels, in those parts of the country where the disasters had occurred, after it came into existence.

Speaking on the occasion, Patil said we need to be prepared to protect not only our big Dams but also small dams and bridges needed to be protected. He said we require focusing on effective policies, planning and relevant technology for better preparedness.

Lauding the role of NDMA for organising, mock-drill Exercises, to enlighten the officers, and the people on as to how to cope up with the problems and difficulties that can arise out of disaster caused by earthquake, He said that he was happy to see that Chairman of NDMA, and other members of NDMA, and concerned officers of the states of Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, are attending this meeting which was convened to make the preparation for the Mock Mega drill for this region, and also discuss, as to how the task of mitigating the difficulties of the people can be done if unfortunately the natural disasters like earthquake occur.