JAMMU MARCH 11 (KNO) : On the instructions of Minister for Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), Javaid Mustafa Mir, the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners have initiated awareness programmes and Disaster Preparedness Training combined with Mock Exercises for making the general public aware of the precautions to be taken in the event of any disaster and have also initiated the process for building the capacity of the community.
Director, Disaster Management Authority Aamir Ali said that Disaster preparedness programs have been conducted in all Districts and various Tehsils by expert trainers of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) with the support from the District Disaster Management Authorities. He said 300 volunteers per district including Civil Defence Volunteers and youth from community have been identified by the Deputy Commissioners and disaster preparedness training imparted to them.
He said these trained youth, including a sizeable number of females, have pledged to support the administration voluntarily, in the event of any disaster situation and utilize their life saving skills. He said the Districts have completed the inventory of resources, including men and machinery, available in the Districts, with various Departments and Corporations and have also included the resources available with private parties. He said instructions have been issued for pooling of these resources and placing them at the disposal of the Divisional Commissioner or the concerned Deputy Commissioner and redeploying the same, as per requirement, in the event of any disaster or impeding disaster.
The Director said that funds to the tune of Rs 1 lakh per District have been released by the Department of DMRRR to each Deputy Commissioner, for conducting District level mock exercises and Rs 59 lakhs released as Disaster Mitigation Fund to each District. Out of released funds 20% of total amount have been earmarked for Capacity Building, 20% for Innovative Projects involving community participation, 10% for IEC activities and 50% earmarked for procurement of emergency rescue equipments, which are being procured by the SDRF in order to ensure its standardization.
Satellite phones from BSNL/INMARSAT are also being procured for each District Disaster Management Authority to ensure safe communication facility in the event of any disaster. Aamir Ali said that the Department has further released funds, to the tune of Rs 1.50 Crore, to Director, Tourism Department Kashmir for procurement of life jackets and life-buoys for its distribution to all Shikarawallas in Dal lake, River Jhelum, Manasbal lake and other water bodies, as it has now been made mandatory for all Shikarawallas to carry life jackets/life buoys/tubes for ensuring safety of the passengers and tourists, in the event of any wind storm etc.(KNO)