CM allots Rs. 10 cr. for cyclone shelters

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR, OCT. 30. The Orissa Chief Minister, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, said various measures were being taken by his Government to increase the level of disaster-preparedness in the State.

Addressing a meeting organised to observe the State Disaster Preparedness Day here on Monday, Mr. Patnaik said that since the immediate response to disasters had to come from the community itself, capacity-building at the level of the community would be given priority.

Stating that his Government was concerned over the issue, Mr. Patnaik said five sub-committees had been constituted for the purpose of developing long-term strategies for various disasters.

A community-based disaster preparedness programme had been already started in 10 pilot blocks in collaboration with the UNDP. The programme would then be extended to all disaster-prone blocks of the State, Mr. Patnaik said.

The Chief Minister announced that he would release Rs. 10 crores for constructing 128 school-cum-cyclone shelters in the 128 blocks that had been hit by the super-cyclone on October 29, 1999.

He said that steps were being taken to strengthen the communication network in the coastal districts to cope with natural disasters such as cyclone and floods. The State Government had constituted the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force carved out of the Armed Police Battalion.

These units would be located at strategic points so that they could be pressed into action immediately in case of an emergency. The personnel, who would have emergency equipment for rescue and relief operations at their disposal, would have specialised training on disaster management, he said.

Mr. Patnaik further said that his Government was also strengthening the chain of storage godowns in the vulnerable areas to store essential commodities. The State Civil Supplies Corporation was constructing 96 godowns in the cyclone-affected districts.

The Chief Minister was silent when questioned on the delay in carrying out the reconstruction work in areas that were badly hit by the super-cyclone.

The Revenue Minister, Mr. Biswabhushan Harichandan, however, admitted that the reconstruction work had not achieved much progress so far. A series of steps were being taken to complete the task by June next year, he said.

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Section  : Other States
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