Disaster Management Authority to be constituted

Thiruvananthapuram, June 22 : The Kerala Government proposes to constitute a Disaster Management Authority to take all possible precautionary measures to minimise the impact of natural disasters in the State, Revenue Minister K P Rajendran told the State Assembly today.

Replying to a Calling Attention motion by Mr Thomas Unniyadan (Kerala Congress-M), he said since Kerala had been identified as one of the multiprone disaster State, such a body was necessary to monitor natural disasters and take all possible precautionary measures.

He said a Disaster Management Institute was also proposed to be set up in the State to train officials and voluntary agencies in relief measures in the event of natural disasters. A workshop for MLAs and other representatives of the people would be held next month in this regard.

Mr Rajendran said the governmnt also proposed to formulate a disaster management policy in accordance with the Central Act on the subject. Kerala would also take up with the Centre the question of including the State in its disaster management programme.

Responding to another submission by Mr C K Sadasivan (CPI-M), he said the Government had decided to inquire into the alleged diversion of Tsunami funds by the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) government and the terms of reference of the enquiry would be finalised soon.

He said construction of sea walls and other schemes announced as part of a package for the tsunami-hit coastal areas would be undertaken on a war-footing. Assistance offered by the Maharashtra Government for Tsunami relief would also be utilised for the purpose, he added.

UNI