Rumour mongers to be punished in times of disaster: Deshmukh

Mumbai, May 18 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said culprits who spread rumours and false news in the event of man-made or natural disasters will be booked under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005.

''The provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, enacted by the Centre, will be implemented strictly by the state government.

Culprits who spread rumours and false news in the event of man-made or natural disasters will get about one year imprisonment and have to pay a fine,'' Mr Deshmukh said during the second meeting of the Disaster Management Authority held here before the onset of monsoon season.

The Chief Minister told the concerned authorities that the main control room at Mantralaya has to be alert and active througout, and should have state-of-the-art communication facilities. The control room should contact all the district collectors on its own.

He said all the staff to be stationed at the control room needs to be appointed well in advance and trained properly.

Mr Deshmukh told Chief Secretary Johny Joseph that the state Disaster Management Authority functioning is a full-fledged job and experienced persons from the district level should be taken in.

Local youth should be trained by district collectors and concerned authorities as it is the youth who rush to the aid of disaster victims.

The primary health care centres at the rural level should be strenghtened, he added.

UNI