The Hindu Business Line : Disaster Management Authority to be launched next month

Thiruvananthapuram April 8 The Kerala Government has established a State-level Disaster Management Authority. Announcing this at a press conference in the city on Saturday, the Kerala Revenue Minister, Mr K.P. Rajendran, said that State Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, would formally inaugurate the Disaster Management Authority on May 9.

The State-level Disaster Management Authority will develop a disaster management policy for Kerala, identify disaster-prone areas and coordinate the activities of various departments and agencies connected with disaster management. Rapid action forces will be set up at the district-level to implement measures to eliminate and mitigate both natural and man-made disasters.

The nine-member Disaster Management Authority will have the Chief Minister as Chairman, the Revenue Minister as Vice Chairman and various officials, scientists and experts as members. A State-level executive committee, district disaster management authorities and several advisory committees will also be set up.

Request to Centre

Kerala has also requested the Centre to provide equipment and other facilities needed for disaster management, Mr Rajendran said. It has also asked the Centre to locate an operational unit of the proposed National Disaster Reserve Force in Kerala, he added.

The State Government also intends to reconstitute the Institute of Land Management into a Land and Disaster Management Institute.

It will offer special training programmes in disaster management for government personnel from departments such as the police, fire force, revenue and health.

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