VASCO: Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, who is also chairman of state disaster management authority, on Thursday, said that there is an urgent need to have a holistic disaster management plan for Goa.
He said since Goa is a world famous tourist destination the state needs to have a strong disaster management authority and cell in place. He was speaking to media at Verna while referring to the recent Cyclone Ockhi related incidents.
“Though we have dedicated cells under disaster management but the same have never been actually grouped. North and South Goa Collectors are the nodal officers but they are not having any system of standard operating procedures and we need to frame them properly,” he said.
He said, “Recently the state disaster management authority held its meeting. New issues, which are coming up with regards to natural calamities such as the recent case were discussed. I think that a strong disaster management plan in Goa should be in place so as to take preventive measures. After the formation of this government, we have already started studying and creating system operating procedures (SOPs) for the disaster management. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had asked to work on SOPs for disaster management and work on the same has already begun,” Khaunte added.
