The Hindu Business Line : Govt to set up early warning system for natural calamities

IN order to tackle the challenges posed by natural calamities such as the December 26 tsunami, the Government has decided to set up a National Disaster Management Authority shortly and install an Early Warning System.

A Bill would be introduced in the Budget session of Parliament to give effect to the proposed authority, the Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, told newspersons after an over three-hour-long all-party meeting convened by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, here on Sunday.

At the meeting, attended by the former Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the BJP President and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mr L.K. Advani, and the UPA Chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister gave a brief account of the death and devastation caused by the tsunami. The Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, who addressed the media along with Mr Patil and the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, said leaders of all political parties had "appreciated the prompt action" taken after the disaster and assured full cooperation in the relief and rehabilitation exercise undertaken by the Government.

Replying to a query, Mr Mukherjee ruled out scaling down the Republic Day celebrations in view of the disaster and made it clear that no political party had made any such suggestion. The day is an observance of the Indian Republic and no event can mar its celebration, he said. "The day should further enjoin us to gather our resources and contribute to the rehabilitation effort being undertaken now," the Minister said.

He said the meeting was of the view that houses in the affected areas be reconstructed at "a safer distance" from the seashore. Regarding care of the children orphaned on Black Sunday, the Home Minister said the Government would take adequate care to ensure that the system of adoptions was not abused. Further, the meeting felt the need for adequate arrangements to provide counselling to the traumatised survivors of the tsunami disaster in which most had lost their near and dear ones. The meeting also expressed the need to ensure that rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts did not disturb the ecological balance in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Talking to mediapersons, CPI(M) leaders Mr Nilotpal Basu and Mr Basudev Acharya said all parties agreed that the December 26 disaster was a national calamity and that the rescue, relief and reconstruction operations were well-managed. "Many suggestions were put forward and it was agreed that a tsunami warning system will be installed. The Government has convened an international conference on January 21 to which leading scientists have been invited to discuss the issue," Mr Basu said.

He said while earthquakes cannot be predicted, tsunamis can be and, hence, the need for warning systems. Mr Acharya said 90 per cent of those affected were fishermen and all parties demanded loan waivers and special assistance for boats and nets. He said Mr Sharad Pawar would shortly visit Tamil Nadu and "decisions would be taken in the next couple of days."

The TDP leader, Mr K. Yerrannaidu, said he had sought enhancing of the ex-gratia amount from the present Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. "This should be applicable to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Central contribution should be increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh there also," he said, adding a comprehensive insurance policy covering all fishermen from the east and west coast should be worked out.

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