PANAJI
The State government is on the lookout for volunteers to assist its officials in disasters ahead of the monsoon season, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday.
Sawant also 'advised' the non-BJP ruled states of Delhi and Maharashtra to cut down the state tax component to reduce fuel prices and provide relief to the residents of the respective states.
Sawant on Thursday chaired a meeting of the State disaster management team to chalk out a strategy to tackle the possible crises ahead of the monsoon season.
"We are preparing for disaster management in the State. There will be disaster management units active in talukas 24x7 soon. All precautions have been taken," Sawant told reporters.
The meeting, which was held at the State Secretariat was chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate, top Revenue department officials including the Secretary, both the District Collectors and top officials of the Fire and Emergency Services, Police and Water Resources Departments.
Sawant also gave a call to volunteers to join the State disaster relief efforts.
"If anyone is ready to volunteer to work for disaster management, they should contact the Deputy Collectors. Their voluntary services will be used for disaster management and we will give them a certificate too," the Chief Minister said.
When asked if the State government would further reduce fuel prices in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public appeal to states, Sawant said that the PM's request was directed at states like Delhi and Maharashtra, which had not reduced fuel prices.
"We have already done it (cut down VAT). It is reduced by Rs 7 (on) diesel and petrol. Karnataka has also done it, and Gujarat has done it. The PM has requested those states which have not reduced it. Delhi and Maharashtra have not done it. This was the PM's request," Sawant said.
