Union Home Minister Amit Shah led a meeting with disaster management ministers from states and union territories to enhance India’s disaster management system and discuss disaster risk reduction. During the meeting, Shah unveiled three major schemes valued at over ₹8,000 crore to strengthen disaster management efforts across the country.
Boosting Disaster Management: Key Points
- Amit Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens during disasters, urging a proactive approach to minimize loss of life and property.
- He commended the national and state-level collective responsibility and response mechanism that has been developed through extensive discussions on disaster management.
- The government’s successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for preparedness to tackle disasters of varying nature, frequency, and intensity.
- Shah mentioned various initiatives and achievements in disaster management, including the India Disaster Resource Network, the Common Alerting Protocol via SMS, and the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, which honors contributions in the field.
The Aim of the Schemes:
- The first scheme, with a budget of ₹5,000 crore, focuses on modernizing fire services in states by enhancing firefighting capabilities, upgrading equipment, and improving infrastructure for effective response to fire emergencies.
- The second scheme, valued at ₹2,500 crore, aims to reduce urban flooding risks in seven major Indian cities by implementing measures to mitigate the impact of flooding in urban areas and safeguard lives and property.
- The third scheme, worth ₹825 crore, is the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project, which aims to prevent and mitigate landslides in 17 states and Union Territories, ensuring the safety of vulnerable communities.
Focus Areas of the Schemes:
The schemes cover topics such as disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, nuclear power plant safety, early warning systems, utilization of the mitigation fund, and strengthening disaster management authorities. These areas were discussed during the meeting.
Valuable Inputs and Future Challenges:
Ministers and representatives from states and union territories shared valuable inputs, best practices, and their views on future challenges in disaster management.
In conclusion, the meeting led by Amit Shah has paved the way for significant advancements in India’s disaster management system. The introduction of the three schemes, with a combined value of ₹8,000 crore, will enhance fire services, reduce urban flooding risks, and mitigate landslides, further ensuring the safety of citizens and their properties during times of disaster. The government’s proactive approach and focus on preparedness highlight its commitment to safeguarding lives and minimizing the impact of natural calamities.
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