Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi while presiding over the review meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) here today said that the State Government would strengthen the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to ensure necessary arrangements to deal with disaster and to efficiently complete other important tasks including rescue.
Due to geographical conditions, there is always a risk of disaster in Himachal and recently the state has witnessed a huge loss of life and property due to natural disaster, he said. The relief amount and other benefits being provided to the disaster affected people in the state were also discussed during the meeting.
The Revenue Minister said that so far Rs 227 crore has been distributed to the affected families under special disaster relief. He also gave instructions to provide timely benefits to all the affected people.
The SDRF has an important role in the state which carries out rescue operations during disasters, said the Minister and added that SDRF personnel were being provided modern training to deal with various disasters. A plan has been made to deploy trained personnel at the time of need, he said.
All necessary equipment is being provided to the SDRF Jawans for which Rs 12.65 crore has been released so as the disaster situation can be dealt with efficiently, said Sh. Negi. The Jawans should also interact and establish communication with the local people so that in case of risk, the disaster can be dealt with better coordination. People should also be made aware about taking necessary steps in case of various disasters.
Principal Secretary Revenue, Omkar Chand Sharma, Director and Special Secretary Revenue-Disaster Management D.C. Rana, senior officials of the State Disaster Management Authority and Superintendent of Police (SDRF) Ilma Afroz attended the meeting.