Govt to keep funds for disaster mngt

Kohima, Sept 23: Nagaland Government has directed all its departments to keep fund provision in their respective annual budget for implementing disaster management programme.

In an office memorandum, Nagaland Chief Secretary Lalhuma said the North Eastern region falls within the world's most vulnerable seismic zone and it is essential that there is preparedness at all levels to deal with an emergency situation.

The Chief Secretary directed all the departments to incorporate this requirement in their respective Revised Estimate 2006-2007 and Budget Estimate 2007-2008.

He also requested the Finance Department to ensure that the directive was complied while finalizing the annual budget.

He said utilization of the amount would be governed by the State and District Management Plans.

Mr Lalhuma said that disaster management in the state had so far been limited to conducting training on capacity building involving all sections of the community.

The State Disaster Management plan and the District Disaster Management plans were being formulated and it would be notified shortly, he said.

UNI