Govt allocates emergency funds, deploys rescue units ahead of monsoon
Panaji: The state government has completed all pre-monsoon disaster management preparations, including deployment of additional ambulances, round-the-clock control rooms at the taluka level, a dedicated NDRF unit, Coast Guard boats and special funds for local bodies and district administrations, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday.
The chief minister, who chaired a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority at the Mantralaya on Monday, directed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure that no lives are lost due to disasters.
“The government aims to reduce emergency response time to less than six minutes,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the response time has already been reduced to nine minutes from 18 minutes.
He said that the State Disaster Management Authority will soon be restructured to function throughout the year and not only during the monsoon season.
Authorities were also directed to install warning signboards at accident-prone zones, act against dilapidated buildings, ban swimming in abandoned mining pits, and effectively ulilise Aapda Mitra volunteers along with NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides during emergencies.
“172 people have been trained in emergency response. The trained ‘Aapda Mitra’ volunteers will receive an honorarium of Rs 750 per day,” said Sawant adding that 24-hour control rooms have been activated at the taluka level and contact numbers of nodal officers will be released shortly.
He said Rs 4 crore has been allocated to the North Goa Collectorate, Rs 3 crore to South Goa and Rs 2 crore to the newly formed Kushavati district for emergency response work.
“The government has also sanctioned Rs 5 lakh each to deputy collectors, Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 to panchayats, Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 to municipalities and Rs 1.20 crore to the Corporation of the City of Panaji,” said Sawant.
To deal with possible highway accidents during the monsoon, four advanced ambulances have been stationed along national highways. The state has also taken assistance from the Indian Navy’s 10 rescue boats, which have been insured for Rs 50 lakh. In addition, the government has purchased small firefighting pumps at a cost of Rs 96 lakh.
A National Disaster Response Force team will remain stationed in Goa during the four monsoon months, while two Coast Guard boats have been deployed under ‘Sagar Kavach’ operations along the coastline.
Highlighting health concerns during the monsoon, Sawant stressed the need for blood tests of migrant labourers to prevent diseases such as dengue and malaria.
He also urged landlords to ensure health screening of workers staying in rented premises.
Among other key directions issued were pruning hazardous trees, removal of dangerous hoardings, desilting drains and water bodies, monitoring flood and landslide-prone areas, strengthening emergency communication systems, stocking essential medicines and supplies, and ensuring the readiness of rescue teams and equipment.
Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou, IAS, Secretary (Revenue) Sandip Jacques, IAS, and officials from various departments were present.
