Proposal being mooted for J&K Institute of Disaster Mgmt
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 18: The Department of Disaster Management of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has submitted guidelines for creation of Disaster Mitigation Fund to the Finance Department for approval, which is expected shortly. Moreover, a proposal is being mooted for creation of the J&K Institute of Disaster Management on the lines of such an institute at the national level.
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In his budget speech in the Legislative Assembly on March 7, 2025, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced that, to enhance resilience, the Government will establish a Rs 39 crore Disaster Mitigation Fund, the first dedicated fund for prevention, early warning systems and preparedness.
Stating that the 2014 floods highlighted the need for proactive disaster mitigation, the Chief Minister had mentioned, “By investing in tools, manpower and infrastructure, we aim to reduce risks and safeguard lives and property across the Union Territory.”
Following this announcement, the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction conducted a detailed exercise and prepared guidelines for the Disaster Mitigation Fund, which were recently submitted to the Finance Department for approval, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding, “the Finance Department is likely to approve the guidelines in the shortest possible time so that the objective behind the announcement of the Chief Minister is achieved”.
Even without the announcement of the Chief Minister, the Department of Disaster Management was supposed to create the Disaster Mitigation Fund as per the provisions of the Disaster Management Act of 2005.
Section 47(1) of the Disaster Management Act states: “The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a fund to be called the National Disaster Mitigation Fund for projects exclusively for the purpose of mitigation.” Further, Section 48(1)(c) read: “The State/UT Government shall establish the fund to be called State Disaster Mitigation Fund”.
The National Disaster Mitigation Fund was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on February 2, 2021, through a notification, and on February 18, 2021, the States/UTs were advised to constitute the State Disaster Mitigation Fund.
The J&K Disaster Mitigation Fund will be utilized for preparedness before disaster strikes by ensuring proactive investment in risk reduction measures such as flood control systems, landslide prevention, early warning systems and earthquake-resistant infrastructure. Further, the fund will provide J&K with an exclusive pool of resources to undertake mitigation projects without waiting for Central aid or post-disaster relief packages.
The fund will also be utilized for training, awareness programs and capacity building at the local body and community levels, and in protecting vulnerable populations and assets in hazard-prone regions. Further, the fund will help in timely execution of projects like slope stabilization, retrofitting of public buildings and strengthening of lifeline infrastructure.
“The Disaster Mitigation Fund will empower the UT Government to move from a reactive approach (relief after disaster) to a proactive approach (prevention, preparedness, and resilience building), saving lives, livelihoods and public resources,” sources said.
Meanwhile, a proposal is being mooted by the Department of Disaster Management for the creation of an Institute of Disaster Management on the lines of such an institute at the national level, sources informed.
The institute, if approved by the Government, will undertake research and documentation in disaster management and organize training programmes; formulate and implement a comprehensive human resource development plan covering all aspects of disaster management; provide assistance to the UT Government in the formulation of policies, strategies, and the disaster management framework; and promote awareness among stakeholders including college or school teachers and students, technical personnel and others associated with multi-hazard mitigation, preparedness and response measures, etc.
“The creation of the Disaster Mitigation Fund and the Institute of Disaster Management are imperative keeping in view the vulnerability of J&K to multiple disasters,” sources said.
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