Govt approves Rs 42.97 Cr for procuring disaster mgmt equipment

Srinagar, July 21: The State Executive Committee (SEC) of State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA),
headed by Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam on Saturday allocated funds to the tune of Rs. 42.97 Crore
for procurement of essential equipment for disaster management in the state.
This was the second meeting of the SEC in a week with the earlier meeting held on 16th of July, 2018.
The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner, H&UDD, Director General of Police, J&K, Director
General, Fire & Emergency Services, Principal Secretary, Home, Principal Secretary, Finance, Principal
Secretary, H&ME, ADGP, Home Guards/CD/SDRF, Administrative Secretaries of PDD, Revenue, PWD,
DMRRR, PHE/I&FC, RDD, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and other senior officers. Divisional
Commissioner Jammu participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
Out of the allocated funds of Rs. 42.97 Crore, Rs. 7.50 Crore each were approved for placement at the
disposal of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Rs. 15 Crore for
placement at the disposal of Director General, Fire & Emergency Services, J&K and Rs. 12.97 Crore for
placement at the disposal of ADGP Home Guards/CD/SDRF for procurement of disaster management
equipments like search and rescue equipment, raft boats, tents, satellite phones, etc.
It is pertinent to mention that the SEC in its earlier meeting held on 16th of July, 2018, approved Rs. 5 Crore
each, for placement at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners so that funds meant for disaster relief are
readily available at the District level. The SEC also approved allocation of Rs. 5.62 Crore for Home Guards for
procurement of critical rescue equipment and Rs. 5.61 Crore for procurement of advanced network
command and control system.
The enhanced allocations to the Departments/Agencies and Deputy Commissioners will immensely help the
State Administration to promptly and effectively respond to various natural disasters that the State is prone
to and also augment any deficiency in the relief and rescue equipment.