Telangana Govt. Sanctions Rs.33 Cr To Procure Equipment To Tackle Flood Situation

The amount must be utilized in accordance with SDRF norms for procuring materials and equipment as needed for getting prepared to tackle heavy rains and flood like situations in an effective manner. This will in turn help to minimize damages or loss of life due to lack of timely availability of such materials.

The services of Aapda Mitra Volunteers should be used effectively for utilizing the material effectively in addition to the staff of District Fire office, Revenue and Police departments. The immediate requirement of such material which could be very effective in saving the lives and damages due to rains, may also be ascertained from the police department, according to Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar.

He clarified that the amount shall not be used for carrying out repairs to buildings etc and departmental funds from the respective departments should be used for such purposes. The material and equipment procured shall be kept in the safe custody of fire office officers after rains so that the same can be used subsequently whenever needed once the monsoon season is over.

The amount was released after the Nirmal district Collector submitted a proposal, requesting for release of funds towards undertaking advance preparations to tackle heavy rains and floods well in time. He informed that the district intends to procure a sufficient number of airboats, life jackets, latest sirens, mike sets, ropes, gas cutters, and ladders to evacuate villagers apart from taking relief measures in affected areas.

It was observed that some States like Kerala already have a system of releasing such advance funds towards undertaking preparatory procurement of materials required towards flood relief before the actual floods or heavy rains occur so that the districts are adequately prepared to mitigate and minimize the losses or damages apart from saving lives without losing the golden hour for want of appropriate material availability.

After careful examination, the Telangana government released the funds and an order to this effect was also issued.