MARGAO
On the occasion of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), Goacan has called on the District Collector to ensure Disaster Risk Governance in village panchayats and municipal councils of South Goa.
In a letter to the District Collector Ajit Roy IAS, Goacan has pointed out that since the focus of the day this year is Disaster Risk Governance, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) must take the initiative to implement this focus in South Goa.
It may be noted that India has adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015“2030 and States & Districts have been requested to act on the same.
As the DDMA has the responsibility to pursue the SFDRR prescribed 4 Priorities of Action and 7 Targets, Goacan in its letter has suggested that the Secretaries of all Village Panchayats in South Goa be requested to take up Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) as an Agenda Point in the Panchayat meeting quarterly and submit the minutes of the same to DDMA and the respective BDO. They may also be requested to integrate DRR in their Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) for 2020-21.
It was further suggested that the Chief Officers of Municipal Councils in South Goa be requested to take up Disaster Risk Reduction as an Agenda Point in the Municipal Council meeting quarterly and submit the minutes of the same to DDMA and DMA.
Besides, a suggestion was made to request the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES) to submit a list of possible disasters that they foresee to occur in the next 6 months ending March 2021 and the necessary precautions that Village Panchayats & Municipal Councils need to take accordingly.
The DFES may be requested to submit a Status Report of Loss to Life & Property and its financial value for the year 2019-20 for South Goa District.
Goacan further suggested that the Disaster Risk Reduction issues linked to the Industrial Estates in South Goa be taken up on priority with the Goa IDC as they do not come within the purview of the Village Panchayats and Municipal Councils. Further, it was suggested to enlist the support of the community, all Deputy Collectors in South Goa be requested to prepare a list to NGOs, Community Based Organisations, Consumer Forums, Self Help Groups, Mahila Mandals and special attention be given to Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons in their respective Taluka jurisdiction.
“Every Taluka may be then provided with the appropriate awareness in the next six months about the SFDRR and the role of Citizens. The proposed awareness programs at the taluka level may be also discussed in the forthcoming meeting of the South Goa District Consumer Protection Council,” informed Goacan Coordinator Roland Martins.
