Srinagar, May 05 (KNO): The Ministry of Home Ministry on Monday directed the Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories to strengthen civil defence preparedness in vulnerable areas and districts.
A letter written by the Additional Director General (ADG) Civil Defence, which is in possession of the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reads: “The issue of strengthening of civil defence set up and maintaining optimum civil defence preparedness in the categorized CD towns/districts at States/UTs has been emphasized by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister during their address at the 'Chintan Shivir', held at Surajkund, Haryana on 27 & 28 Oct 2022.”
“I am writing to you to augment the Civil Defence preparedness of the categorized CD towns/districts of your States/UTs. The civil defence is considered an integral component of nation's passive defence strategy. The implementation of civil defence measures in the vulnerable areas is governed by the Civil Defence Act, 1968. In the current geo-political scenario, new and complex threats/challenges have emerged, hence, it would be prudent that optimum civil defence preparedness in the States/UTs is maintained at all times,” the letter reads.
“To achieve this, below mentioned measures in the categorized CD towns/districts of your States/UTs may be adopted: Operationalization of air raid warning sirens. Operationalization of hotline/radio communication links with the Indian Air Force. Activation and manning of control rooms / shadow control rooms. Training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of hostile attack. Activation of civil defence services, especially, warden services, firefighting, rescue service, depot, etc. Provision of crash black out measures, Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants / installations. Updation of civil defence plan & its rehearsal. Updation of evacuation plan & its rehearsal. Cleaning of bunkers, trenches, etc,” the letter states further.
The letter urges the Chief Secretaries to personally look into the aforesaid issues on priority and direct the concerned officers to implement the much-needed civil defence measures, so as to effectively deal with any emergency situation.
“The action taken report in this regard may also be shared with the Ministry,” the letter adds.
IN 2023 FORMER UNION HOME SECY HAD STRESSED ON IMPORTANCE OF PREPAREDNESS
It may be recalled that on 16 January 2023, the then Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, had written to the Chief Secretaries of different States an Union Territories about the importance of the civil defence preparedness in the country, especially in bordering & coastal areas of States/Union Territories.
The letter written by Bhalla, which is in possession of the KNO reads: “The Civil Defence has traditionally played a vital role in supporting the armed Forces, mobilizing the citizens and helping the civil administration in discharge of their responsibilities. However, new and complex threats/challenges are emerging, which may pose potential distress to the civilian lives and livelihood during the hostile attack/internal security situations. In order to lessen the impact of any hostile attack/internal disturbance or disasters and protect the civilian's life and property during such emergent situations, prior civil defence preparedness of the civil administration, training and empowerment of community from the civil defence perspectives are required.”
“The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Director General of Civil Defence have been writing to the States and the Union Territories in the matter of capacity building of their Civil Defence Force and to prepare or update Civil Defence plan of the towns/districts,” the letter reads, adding, “Over a period of time, MHA, Govt of India have identified a total of 295 vulnerable towns/districts of the country, where Civil Defence measures need to be implemented during the peace time. In the civil defence review committee meetings it has been observed that Civil Defence preparation in the vulnerable areas/districts require more attention and improvement.”
“Please review the civil defence set up in your State as envisaged in the Union War Book and direct the concerned officers to comprehensively review the civil defence plans and implement the required measures so as to effectively deal with any emergency situation,” the letter reads—(KNO)