The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a review meeting of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) here today.During the meeting, Shri Sanjay Kumar, DG, NDRF gave a presentation on the role and responsibilities of NDRF, along with its major achievements. He said that NDRF has conducted 553 operations and rescued 78,625 human lives from January, 2016 to till date. NDRF has saved 947 livestock during the same period, he added. Apart from rescue operations, Shri Kumar said that NDRF has been conducting mock exercises and capacity development programmes of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, civilians and school children. He said that NDRF has so far provided community awareness programme to 53.65 lakh volunteers. Shri Kumar also briefed on the special equipments being used by the NDRF in search & rescue operations and on the creation of infrastructure in NDRF at different places of the country.
He also informed the progress on the ongoing infrastructure development at the approved cost of Rs 882 crore at 10 Battalions and 10 team locations.Shri Rajnath Singh said that the efforts of NDRF have been appreciated not only in India but also in countries like Nepal and Japan where NDRF personnel had contributed in search and rescue operations. He expressed concern in respect of twelve States/UTs where the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has not been raised so far and said that these States should be asked to set up SDRF at the earliest. He assured NDRF that the key issues highlighted during the meeting will be looked into and necessary steps will be taken in due course.Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Union Home Secretary appreciated NDRF for undertaking activities like mock drill, community training and school safety programme, apart from search and rescue operations.OSD/ Secretary designate MHA Shri Rajiv Gauba, and senior officers of MHA and NDRF were also present during the present.