HE SAID DISASTER REDUCTION MEASURES SHOULD BE IN THE CURRICULUM OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS AND SHOULD ALSO BE INCORPORATED IN THE MUNICIPAL ACT

Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary B.K. Agarwal has stressed the need for proper designing and earthquake resilient construction of community halls and other structures in gram panchayats. Agarwal was presiding over inception workshop on implementation of four schemes on disaster risk reduction organised by the HP State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), here on Friday. The Chief Secretary launched four schemes on disaster risk reduction training for masons, carpenters and bar binders on hazard resistant construction, structural safety audit of lifeline buildings, hospital safety and creation of task force of youth volunteers for disaster preparedness and response. He appreciated the efforts of the SDMA for formulating these schemes keeping in view the hazards, earthquake particularly in Himalayan region and said that it was necessary to prevent the risk in an organised manner.He said the task force of 15-20 volunteers in each panchayat should be organised by imparting proper training to act as first responder in case of any disaster in their area. He said disaster reduction measures should be in the curriculum of technical institutions and should also be incorporated in the Municipal Act.

Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Manisha Nanda in her opening address said Yuvak Mandals, Mahila Mandals, NSS,NCC and the Red Cross volunteers will be mobilised to associate themselves with these schemes. She said the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, has formulated a task force of volunteers namely ‘SERVE’ which has been appreciated and adopted worldwide. She said 29 activities were associated with the volunteers of the task force. She stressed that swimming training to the school children should also be included in their curriculum. SDMA Special Secretary D. C. Rana gave a detailed presentation on newly-launched four schemes. He said that SDMA will extend all kind of assistance to all the institutions imparting training on hazard risk reduction to various people, including masons and engineers. A detailed training module has already been prepared and available on the SDMA website, he added.

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