SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Disaster Management Authority does not have permanent or contractual employees while the state does not have a disaster management plan.
This rather surprising fact was revealed by an RTI filed by the Khun Hynniewtep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), youth wing, here to seek information about the disaster management authority.
Pointing out that the state was vulnerable to disasters owing to its unique geo-climatic features, KHNAM said the state government should expedite its plans pertaining to natural disasters. The regional party asserted that the state government should immediately put up planned mitigation and preparedness measures to ensure safety of life and property during disasters.
Referring to the disaster in which three lives were lost after a massive tree near the premises of Raj Bhavan here uprooted and crushed vehicles on Saturday evening, KHNAM said the incident should be ‘an eye opener’ for the state government. It further said the state government should focus on planning prevention and preparedness from its relief and rehabilitation app-roach. “Reducing the risks posed by disasters is not optional but central to the very success of development,” KHNAM said in a press statement.
The regional party said the state government should recognise the importance of disaster management framework with importance to preparedness measures to save lives and property by framing specific policy guidelines.
‘‘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 said.
Meanhwile, the HSPDP has criticised the State Government for not taking matters seriously on natural disasters following the death of three people after a tree crushed the vehicle they were traveling on Saturday.
In a press statement, the HSPDP stated that the government woke up only after the incident. The party also demanded compensation to the families of deceased and the injured victims.
