Special force, hotline, insurance are key to Govt’s new policy to tackle disasters

A specialised disaster response force drawn from paramilitary and police personnel, disaster risk insurance for vulnerable regions...

A specialised disaster response force drawn from paramilitary and police personnel, disaster risk insurance for vulnerable regions, a foolproof emergency communication network, regular monitoring of critical infrastructure and trained teams in all states, are among the key elements of a new, comprehensive disaster management policy which emphasises prevention, mitigation and better management of disasters both natural and man-made.

This is being considered a veritable paradigm shift from the current, adhoc relief-centric operations.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), of which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the head — it was set up in 2005 — is giving finishing touches to the policy which will be submitted shortly. Singh is likely to unveil it on December 26, the remembrance day of the December 2004 tsunami.

The policy’s key highlights:

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• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions capable of meeting any eventualities at national and state levels. The 10,000-strong NDRF will be drawn from BSF, CRPF, and the CISF and they will be given specific training in various aspects of disaster management. States will create their own NDRF units from their specially trained police personnel.

• Training to be imparted by National Industrial Security Academy. Three more paramilitary training academies to be formed on the lines of NISA.

• Civilian task force, trained to tackle both natural and manmade disasters, to be formed in all states.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all stakeholders in all issues related to disaster, including prevention, mitigation and relief operations.

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• Setting up of a National Disaster Management Fund and National Disaster Mitigation fund at the national level exclusively for disaster mitigation and response. Similar funds at the state level too.

• Disaster Risk Insurance to be drawn up by Union and state Government for those living in disaster prone areas.

• Geographic Information System-based national database for disaster management. Hazard zone assessment and vulnerability mapping will be carried out at the national and regional levels. A National Emergency Communication Network will be hundred percent reliable.

• All states to have their own disaster management capabilities by December 2009.

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• Disaster management plans to be prepared by all Ministries and Departments of the Centre and all state and UT govts. Also by all PSUs, all business houses, malls, schools, hospitals and other lifeline systems.

• Special guidelines for reducing urban disasters, which includes new building rules. All development project will have a disaster management content. New guidelines for building constructions to be updated every five years.

• Disaster Management to be made a part of all school curriculum. Education content will inculcate skill-based training and psychological resilience.

• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to undertake periodical monitoring of critical infrastructures like dams, railway lines and flyovers.

• Alternative land use plans in mega cities and metros.

• Special provisions for livelihood reconstruction and restoration.

• Observation of a National Disaster Reduction Day.