Low rate of gratuitous relief not helping the poor
SHILLONG: The response to RTI filed by KHNAM state youth wing revealed that the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) with the Chief Minister as the Chairperson (Ex Officio) does not have any employee, permanent or contractual. Moreover, there is no sanctioned post by the government.
In a statement issued to the press on Wednesday, KHNAM said, “As per para 16 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the state government shall provide the state Disaster Authority with such officers, employees and consultants for carrying out the function of the State Authority as this will also ensure employment to youth in the state.”
KHNAM said that the relief provided to the victims of calamities by the SDMA through State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) is also low and needs to be revised.
“The old rate of gratuitous relief for families in dire need of immediate sustenance after the calamity/disaster is Rs. 30 per adult and Rs 25 per child which is very low especially for poorer section of the society,” KHNAM youth wing president, Thomas Passah said.
In this connection, the KHNAM has urged the State Government to provide the SDMA with adequate man power and policies for the general welfare of the state.
Passah stated that with the series of tremors hitting the state, there should be a District Authority and Village Authority as per the National Disaster Management Act 2005 to monitor any man-made or natural calamities to reduce danger to the citizens of the state.
