Canacona MLA calls for equipping Disaster Management panel suitably
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, AUG 29
Canacona MLA Vijay Poi Khot has called for fixing up priority list beforehand by the Disaster Management Committee to suitably equip itself in the event of disasters that may befall in any form.
Poi Khot was speaking at the installation, introduction and orientation programme for village level disaster management committees, organized by Disaster Management Committee (South) and Deputy Collector Canacona at Canacona on Sunday.
Poi Khot called for five years tenure to the appointed village level disaster management committees and issuance of identity cards for better interaction with the affected people and the administration.
“It is essential that a proper priority list is prepared and kept ready, considering various types of disasters that can befall on the society. The disaster committee accordingly follows it to avoid unwanted delay and chaos at the last moment. The October 2 flood in Canacona is the wake-up call not only for Canacona, but to the entire State,” he said.
Poinguinim Panch Satish Painginkar said inspections should be carried out by concerned authorities within the minimum period and not after 5-10 days of the incident, which gives rise to immediate relief claims by non-affected people.
Aspiring candidate for the forthcoming municipal elections, Sanjay Komarpant, said over Rs 15 crore were collected by various groups, organisations, NGOs on account of assisting floods rehabilitation works, but only Rs 4.43 crore reached the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
There were also calls to find the reason of October 2 floods, some asked to upgrade the sick Community Health Centre at Chaudi to handle any future disasters, which may compel hospitalization of affected people.
Few others called for forming local teams at village level committee and provide suitable first aid and rescue tips to the members.
Deputy Collector Deepak Dessai informed that a State owned 25-member disaster rescue team is in the pipeline.
“Presently, we had to bring such a team from Pune. Besides, NUSI Maritime Academy has been approached to provide training and expertise to the team and also to the local volunteers. The file is in law department,” informed Dessai.
Sandesh Prabhudessai, an editor with a local channel, speaking as a guest speaker explained reasons behind the October 2 floods, the details he reportedly collected from experts like NIO Scientist Dr Shetye, etc.
“It is also essential that suitable measures are ensured on issues like deforestation, desiltation of rivers, erection of protection walls, identification of flood-prone areas, shifting of flood-prone houses to safer locations, etc, to avoid repetition of October 2 floods,” said Prabhudessai.
Incidence Response System specialist Vinoy Bishen Gannayak also addressed the gathering of panchas, sarpanchas, councilors, anganwadi workers, staff of deputy collector and mamlatdar Canacona, besides other citizens, who were present in large number on the issue of response teams duties in the event of disasters.
CMC Chairperson Shyam Dessai, Mamlatdkar C S Shetkar and Khola ZP Krishna Velip, were also present.
