SHILLONG: Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA) does not have any employee (permanent or contractual) and the state does not have a State Disaster Management Plan. It has come to the light after the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), youth wing filed an RTI seeking information about the state disaster management authority.
Pointing out that the state is vulnerable to disaster owing to its unique geo-climatic features, the KHNAM youth wing, therefore, stated that the State Government should expeditiously put in place a definite action plan pertaining to natural disasters.
“The Government needs to revise the list of items and norms of assistance from at present rate to ensure assistance and help to persons and families affected by disasters,” KHNAM in a press statement stated.
They asserted that the state government should immediately put up plan for mitigation and preparedness to ensure safety of lives and property during disasters.
Referring to Saturday’s tragic incident where three lives were lost in the city after a massive tree from Raj Bhavan compound uprooted and fell on vehicles on the road, the KHNAM stated that the incident should be ‘an eye opener’ for the state government.
It further stated that the state government should focus more on planning-prevention and preparedness than on its relief and rehabilitation approach.
“Reducing the risks posed by disasters is not optional but central to the very success of development itself,” KHNAM stated.
The regional party added, “Although Central Government has provided a broad framework for disaster management, the State Government needs to recognize the importance of disaster management framework with importance to preparedness to save lives and property by framing specific policy guidelines.”