As the state falls in seismic zone 5 Tripura is vulnerable to earthquake and other disasters. The state government is taking various initiatives towards combating and mitigating its impact Time to time review meetings are held to discuss issues related to flood, draught and other disasters.
Although after the devastating floods of 2018 and 2019, no severe flood situation was there in the state initiative has been taken to train the government officials on disaster mitigation proposals, stated the chief minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha at a meeting on disaster management held today at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi Union home minister Amit Shah presided over the meeting while ministers of disaster management from different states and Union Territories of the country were present in the meeting.
At Vigyan Bhavan meeting the chief minister also informed that in the state in a year more than 12 crore Common Protocol Alerts were issued and social media is also being used to spread such alerts. He opined that in this situation the use of State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) should be expedited. He also put forward an appeal to the Government of India to implement training on disaster mitigation for its officials.
He said, the state has formed four companies with 552 personnel of State Disaster Response Force. So far 440 personnel have been trained on basic courses. Initiative has been taken to train the rest. The chief minister also sought support of the National Disaster Response Force for advanced training of the officials who have already completed basic training To strengthen the state disaster management authorities the government has decided to create more 20 permanent posts. Moreover as per guidelines schemes of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction are being implemented in the state.
In the meeting the chief minister also said, as per the Model Fire Bill of MHA, the government has already formulated Tripura Fire and Emergency Services Act 2022. The estimated budget for Tripura on the basis of the decision taken at the meeting of Fire Advisory Council on June 11 2021 was Rs. 118 crore. All the schemes of central government on disaster management are being implemented properly in the state and it is also updating information on the portal of National Disaster Management Information System. At present there are 1000 trained Apada Mitra in the state. To ensure one Apada Mitra for 50 people of the state this programme will continue.
The chief minister said, now disaster management as a subject is being taught as part of different trainings and in schools. Earlier Civil Defence activities with 50 volunteers were confined to Agartala only but realising its importance their presence has been extended to all the districts now. Volunteers are being trained in mission mode and in two years time 3000 volunteers have been trained. He also urged the central government to implement a project with provision of one time grant for strengthening disaster infrastructure and procurement of more equipments.
