Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 21: Secretary, Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstr-uction (DMRRR), Farooq Ahmad Shah, today directed the Deputy Commissioners to work on war-footing basis for establishing dedicated Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) in every district of the State.
He passed these directions while reviewing the District Level Disaster Management Action Plan submitted by the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu Division.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioners and ADCs of the Jammu Division through video conferencing. Officers of Disaster Management Department were also present in the meeting.
Threadbare discussions were held about action plan submitted by the Deputy Commissioners for identification of the land and for establishment of EOCs at their respective districts.
Addressing the DCs, Farooq Shah said that EOCs need to be equipped with latest gadgets and equipment including boats, de-watering pumps, JCBs, Life Jackets, First Aid kits etc. He also called for ensuring a proper communication system to carry rescue operations in case of emergencies and asked to provide satellite phones at these EOCs to establish contact with all field functionaries.
He also directed those Deputy Commissioners who have not yet submitted Action Plan to submit immediately so that funds can be released at an earliest.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner Ramban to establish an Emergency Operation Centre with Critical Care Ambulances and passenger sheds with latest facilities immediately.
He also asked Deputy Commissioners to identify accident prone areas in their respective areas so that they can also keep available Critical Care Ambulances at their disposal.
It was informed that State Executive Committee (SEC) of SDMA has already released Rs 5.50 crore each to be kept at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners to meet expenses on account of any emergent situation arising in the district as per SDRF norms.
Further Shah said that Rs 10 crore has been kept at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners as an immediate measure for disbursement of cash relief among the bonafide affecters as per SDRF norms.
He also asked the Deputy Commissioners to regularly assess the level of disaster preparedness in their respective districts and emphasized on conducting mock drills to check the level of preparation, coordination and response in handling any natural disasters.
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