Jammu, Feb 16:
In a high-level move to overhaul the Union Territory’s emergency response, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired the 4th State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting of the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) this Monday.
The meeting centered on a single, powerful directive: Disaster relief must be institutionalized, time-bound, and sensitive to the vulnerability of affected families.
“No Recourse But Government Support”
Emphasizing the human element of natural calamities, the Chief Secretary observed that families hit by disasters often have no safety net other than state intervention.
“Relief assistance must reach affected households without any delay. Officers must ensure prompt disbursement to the populations who have lost their livelihoods,” Dulloo stated during the session.
Key Directive: Flash Flood Claims
Taking a stern view of administrative delays, the Chief Secretary ordered the immediate clearance of all outstanding relief amounts for districts hit by last year’s flash floods. He has demanded a detailed compliance report to verify that funds released to Deputy Commissioners match the actual ground requirements.
Strengthening the Framework: What’s Changing?
The SEC meeting outlined several strategic shifts to move J&K from a “reactive” to a “proactive” disaster management state:
1. Standardizing the Response (IRS)
The Committee approved a standardized Incident Response System (IRS) notification for both divisional and district levels.
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The Goal: To ensure that during an emergency, every officer knows their specific role, preventing chaos and overlapping responsibilities.
2. Urban & Technical Partnerships
Principal Secretary (Home), Chandraker Bharti, shared critical updates on modernizing the UT’s safety infrastructure:
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UNDP Partnership: J&K is in the process of engaging the United Nations Development Programme as a technical partner to draft a forward-looking mitigation plan.
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Urban Disaster Authorities: Plans are underway to constitute dedicated Urban Disaster Management Authorities for Jammu and Srinagar.
3. Financial Infusion
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₹96 Crore Released: Funds have already been moved to various districts under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
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Hiring Experts: The Finance Department will provide funding to hire specialized consultants to boost the technical capacity of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).
Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA)
The meeting highlighted that J&K is currently conducting comprehensive loss evaluations with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). These assessments, following Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, are designed to create a structured recovery strategy rather than just temporary “band-aid” fixes.
The Bottom Line
The 4th SEC meeting signals a shift toward accountability. By pushing for a “time-bound” mechanism, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has made it clear that bureaucratic red tape should not stand in the way of a family’s recovery after a natural disaster.
