SHILLONG: The Centre has approved setting up of another seven disaster emergency operating units in the State for quick response to any major natural calamity, Director General of Civil Defense and Home Guards Kulbir Krishan said on Saturday.
“The Centre has approved the setting up of these emergency units in the seven old districts which have been designated as most prone to disasters primarily earthquakes, floods and landslides,” Krishan said while speaking on the sidelines of a function to celebrate the 52nd Annual Day of the Meghalaya Home Guards & Civil Defense at the Central Training Institute, Home Guards & Civil Defense Ground, Mawdiangdiang, here.
“The department has its presence only in Shillong, Jowai and Tura. With this approval, we can now set up emergency units in seven districts where there are is presence of the department,” he said.
Krishan said that the department is contemplating to shift the unit allocated to East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills to Mawkyrwat (South West Khasi Hills), Ampati (South West Garo Hills) and Resubelpara (North Garo Hills), respectively.
According to him, the Centre has allocated a total amount of Rs.10.50 crore under the Plan Scheme for mainstreaming of Civil Defense for the emergency operating units, construction for which will commence from in the first quarter of next year.
“Out of the total sanctioned amount, Rs.1.60 crore has been allocated for purchasing of the search and rescue equipments including procurement of vehicles and ambulances for the quick response teams,” Krishan said.
Earlier, Minister in charge Civil Defense & Home Guards, Sniawbhalang Dhar, said the Centre has approved the proposal for procurement of weapons for the home guards in the State.
“During the current year, the Centre under the Modernization of Police Force Scheme 2013-14 and 2014-15, has sanctioned funds for procurement of 9 mm pistols, 7.62 self loading rifles (SLRs) and INSAS rifles,” Dhar said.
“The centre has also accorded its approval for procurement of 1000 old but serviceable 7.62 SLRs from the CRPF as a move to upgrade the weaponry of the home guards,” he added.
Dhar also informed that two transit quarters were under construction at the new land allotted by the government in Mawkasiang area, while in Tura construction of the Civil Defence office, boundary brick wall fencing and approach road was making good progress.
On the strengthening of the manpower, Dhar said that the State Government has approved creation of two additional posts of senior staff officers, two junior staff officers, three drivers and 24 additional posts for Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards, Shillong, besides promotion to various ranks.
He informed that the department has imparted training on disaster management on search and rescue and medical first aid to about 3466 number of public and students in urban and rural areas, NGOs, schools, colleges and offices.
During the year, 521 home guards volunteers and 8088 civil defense volunteers were imparted training, the Minister said while informing that over 1500 trained home guard personnel were deployed with various government departments and private agencies.
Pointing out that Meghalaya falls in a seismic prone zone, Dhar said, “The State government has recently allotted additional 15 acres of land to the department for the purpose of imparting training to volunteers especially in disaster relief and management.”
The State has also notified its own SDRF, he said, adding that the State government has also approved an amount of Rs.54.7 lakh for procurement of equipments and accessories as a move to strengthen the SDRF to ensure quick response to any emergency.
During the function, C. Ranee and A.D. Sangma were awarded President’s Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals for their meritorious service on the occasion of Republic Day 2014, while Rohesh Koch and A.S. Khongbuh were awarded President’s Home Guards & Civil Defence Medal for their meritorious service on the occasion of Independence Day 2013.
Awardees of Director General Civil Defence and Home Guards Commendation Certificate 2014 include Jitendro Barman, Goldenluck D Sangma, Dransibon Marboh, Newstarland Wanniang, Phrim Lyngdoh, Dilip Mawlong, Ashok Kr Hajong, Chandan Biswas, Nagendra Das, Rajesh Hajong, Meken Khakhalary, Banngeitlang Nongkhlaw, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Yarmon Nongsiej.
Awardees of Director General, Civil Defense DISC and Commendation Certificate, New Delhi, 2013 include Khem Raj Dahal, Digendra Ch Hajong, Stanish Lyngdoh, Alyodalyne Lyngdoh and Fredick Mawrie.