Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced three major disaster management schemes of over Rs 8,000 for infrastructure upgrades to cover the modernization of fire brigade services in all States, prevention of landslides in 17 States, and flood mitigation in seven major cities.

Amit Shah spoke of the Central government initiative during his address at a meeting of the ministers of disaster management of States and Union Territories.

Appealing to focus on zero loss of life due to any disaster, Union Home Minister said, “For the modernization and expansion of fire brigade services, about ₹5,000 crore assistance will be given to all States. We have prepared a detailed plan and it will be forwarded to you. To mitigate the danger of floods in urban areas, in seven major cities -- Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune -- ₹2,500 crore will be given.”

He added, “to deal with landslides in 17 States, almost ₹825 crores will be given by the Central government”.

Shah highlighted the collective responsibility and response mechanism developed at the national and state levels after extensive discussions on disaster management in recent years. He praised the successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the central government and states, emphasizing the need for preparedness to deal with the changing nature, frequency, and intensity of disasters.

Earlier, as per Shah, the country’s approach to the disaster was relief-oriented and reactionary, and the effort would be directed towards relief and rehabilitation only. In the last nine years, however, everyone came together and the governments have implemented an early warning system, prevention, mitigation, and preparedness-based disaster management, the Minister said.

On some State ministers’ suggestion to enhance compensation for farmers facing natural disasters, the Union Home Minister assured the Centre would examine it seriously and, at the same, suggested that States should also increase their budgetary provision for it.

The Minister said the majority of states have neither formulated work plans nor implemented the model fire bill, disaster prevention policy, thunderstorm and lightning policy, and the cold wave policy formulated by the Central government.

The National Disaster Management Authority has visited states where seven nuclear power stations are being built and has prepared a protocol to avert any possible disaster. “I appeal to all those concerned states to make it a priority. Before the commissioning of the nuclear power plants and before the generation of power, whatever disaster prevention measures have to be taken, should be taken. It is of utmost necessity for all of us,” Shah said.

In addition, he said that traditional divers in rural areas should receive training in disaster rescue as part of the government's "Aapda Mitra" program. He suggested that foreign expert agencies be brought in to help build this software.

Image source: ANI