Wednesday, 20 April | PNS | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to ensure that all arrangements for disaster management are completed before the advent of the monsoon season. He said this while chairing a review meeting here on Tuesday.
Chairing the meeting, Dhami directed that all the departments should be ready to face challenges. The sites vulnerable to disasters should be identified soon and alternative routes should also be facilitated in such areas. It should be ensured that in case of disasters damaging roads, the traffic should be restored soon. He also stressed on the need for alertness regarding communication systems as these are most disrupted during disasters. All arrangements should be made to strengthen the communication systems, he added. The CM said that special focus should be laid on cleaning nullahs in the plains. It should be ensured that waterlogging does not occur in the cities following rains. Stating that the disaster management system must be strengthened, he said that the rehabilitation of families from vulnerable areas should be completed soon. The disaster affected should also be provided compensation as per the Disaster Management Act soon, he said. Budget will not be an issue in reconstruction works in disaster affected areas, said Dhami while directing the officials concerned to complete such reconstruction works soon on priority basis. Considering the importance of public cooperation in tackling any type of disaster, the CM directed that the locals in vulnerable areas should be trained in disaster management. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) should be strengthened and its manpower increased in the state, he added.
The CM also directed officials to ensure that drinking water and electricity supply are maintained during the summer and monsoon. Stating that many complaints are being received regarding the supply of drinking water and electricity, he said that the responsibility of officials should be fixed for these tasks. He also stressed on making all possible efforts to check forest fires. He directed all the district magistrates to ensure that disaster control rooms are fully operational at the district and Tehsil levels before the start of the monsoon season. Stressing on the need for all departments concerned working in coordination to minimise the damage caused by disasters, the CM also stressed on the need for focus on ascertaining what improvement can be made in the weather forecast issued by the meteorological department. He said that the Doppler radar at Surkanda should be activated soon and that the process for the Doppler radar in Lansdowne should be expedited.
Chief secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, additional chief secretaries Radha Raturi, Anand Bardhan, principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, director general of police Ashok Kumar and other officials concerned were also present in the meeting.
