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Neiphiu Rio addressing a meeting in Kohima on Saturday.[/caption]
Dimapur, April 14 (EMN): The government of Nagaland has announced a state-wide social work on April 21 during which citizens in all the districts have been encouraged to clean their localities and clear clogged drainages besides other public utilities.
The idea of a community cleaning drive was an outcome of a meeting on Saturday between Chief Minister Neiphu Rio and officials of the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) to discuss ‘the status of the infrastructures and public utilities before the onset of monsoon,’ a press release from the Home Commissioner of Nagaland informed. Rio is also the chairman of the NSDMA.
“The District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) along with all stakeholders such as NGOs, village councils, governmental departments, will undertake mass social work as preventive measures before the onset of monsoon,” the press release read.
Saturday’s meeting, according to the press release, was ‘imperative as Nagaland had witnessed unfavourable monsoon last year which caused huge loss to lives and properties in many parts of Nagaland due to increased climate change induced extreme weather.’ It was held in the ‘office chamber of chief minister, civil secretariat’ in Kohima.
“The opening remarks were delivered by Temjen Toy, chief secretary. A presentation was made by Abhishek Singh, home commissioner, the review of last year pre-monsoon preparedness meeting and the agenda for the meeting. The meeting was attended by the AHODS/HODs (heads of departments) of line departments and technical agencies responsible for maintenance of public utilities.
“During the meeting some of the agenda discussed were provisioning of central pool of resources from the line departments to be parked at the disposal of DDMAs to be used during any exigencies. Review of status report of infrastructures and public utilities from the line technical departments. Status of preventive measures for the monsoon at the state and district level to respond effectively to any likelihood of flood situations, windstorms and destructions of public utilities. Provision for disaster mitigation fund and also life insurance policies for the SDRF personnel who take extreme risk in times of disaster,” it informed.
Many of the government officials shared their ‘concern on the preparedness for the monsoon or any eventuality of disasters’, it stated. “The inspection report on the infrastructure was shared by the Commissioner and Secretary, PWD and stated that bridges and culverts have been checked.
“However, he appealed to conduct a safety audit of public infrastructures which will ensure more resilience in times of disasters. The Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), shared about the crop insurance and animal insurance which have benefited to farmers and also stressed on the need to scale up.
“The chairman of District Disaster Management Authority, Kohima informed the house on the need to find an alternate route to be used during any emergency. And he stressed that the alternate route requires maintenance and proper repair so as to enable the traffic and transports of essential materials during exigencies,” the stated.
Also, it informed that the state’s Public Works Department had been tasked with completing the construction of a Bailey bridge over Chathe River before the onset of monsoon. “The insurance for SDRF personnel to be taken up under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY).
“The meeting ended with a note from the chief minister to be prepared and alert during this coming monsoon by all the technical departments responsible for management of emergencies to save lives and properties,” the press release read.
