Disaster Management govt’s top most priority: Javaid Mustafa Mir
JAMMU: Minister for Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), Javaid Mustafa Mir, today took a detailed review of the functioning of World Bank aided, Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary Industries and Commerce, Shailender Kumar, Commissioner/Secretary, DMRRR, Shafiq Ahmed Raina, Commissioner/Secretary PW(R&B) Sanjeev Verma, Chief Executive Officer, JTFRP, Vinod Sharma, Development Commissioner (Works) Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Managing Director, JKPCC, Nayeem Ahmed, Director Finance JTFRP Mohammed Yusuf Pandit, Director, Disaster Management Aamir Ali, Director PnC, Iftikhar Hakim, Director Technical PMU, Mohib-ul-Hassan Mirza, Technical Officer Sajad Ahmed Wani and other officers from R&B, JKPCC, SDRF and Housing Department.
The Minister, while taking a detailed review of the functioning of the JTFRP, said that disaster management is government’s top most priority. He reviewed the bottlenecks being faced by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Implementation Units (PIU) and directed all the implementing agencies to speed-up the work so that implementation starts on the ground. He stressed on all officers of PMU and PIU to ensure proper coordination and take decisions expeditiously to ensure that benefits reach the deserving. He asked that any unresolved issue be put-up to his office so it is sorted out at the earliest.
The Minister expressed satisfaction on the progress made by Industries and Commerce Department in respect of finalizing the DPRs for restoration of Silk Factory and Woolen Mills. He was informed that Department has initiated establishment of e-Commerce portal, which will benefit rural artisans of handicrafts and handloom sector.
While reviewing PW (R&B) sector, the Minister gave directions for expediting the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) so that the works can be immediately put for tenders and started. He also reviewed the status of works to be executed by JKPCC and Srinagar Municipal Corporation and asked them to expedite completion of the requisite formalities so that activities can start by February.
Minister also gave directions to expedite identification of land for establishing Emergency Operation Centres in all the districts. He also reviewed the status of upgradation of State level EOC at Humhama, Srinagar.
The Minister reviewed the strengthening of manpower and equipments of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) as they are first responders, in the event of any disaster. He stressed on the need to strengthen the Disaster Management Authorities at State, Divisional, District and Tehsil levels, by utilizing services of qualified professionals in the field.
The Minister issued instructions to all Deputy Commissioners and Tehsildars to personally attend to issues related to disaster preparedness and mitigation. He directed that in the event of any disaster, immediate response measures should be taken and all concerned agencies should be geared up. He stressed on regular mock exercises to test preparedness of the response agencies.
