PM to discuss India's N-disaster preparedness steps tomorrow

New Delhi (PTI) - In the backdrop of recent nuclear
crisis in Japan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will discuss
India's disaster preparedness Wednesday at a special meeting
that is expected to unveil measures like installation of
hi-tech radiation-measuring gadgets in 35 cities.
The meeting will also discuss fast-tracking of other
steps like creation of disaster response forces in places in
addition to existing four and procurement of special
radiation-detection vehicles.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister will review the
nuclear safety issues being looked after by the Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board (AERB) and Department of Atomic Energy,
sources said.
He will also take stock of guidelines of management of
nuclear and radiological emergencies issued by the National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Among the various steps to be considered as part of the
chemical, biological, radiological nuclear response and rescue
preparedness is a project for installation of 'dosi-meters' in
1000 police stations in 35 cities having more than one million
population.
Dosi-meters are hi-tech gadgets which monitor and measure
radiation levels.
The meeting will also review functioning of National
Defence Response Force (NDRF) whose four battalions are
stationed at Noida (outside Delhi), Kolkata, Arakkonam (Tamil
Nadu) and Pune.
The proposal for creation of six more battalions of the
force will also be considered with expectations that these
could be fast-tracked.
The meeting of the NDMA, which is headed by the Prime
Minister, is expected to decide on procurement of four
'Hazmat' vehicles, which have radiation data analysis
capabilities, and one chemical, biological and radiological
nuclear surveillance vehicle, sources said.
The preparedness to meet other forms of disasters like
earthquakes will also be discussed with special focus on
National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project being prepared
covering 239 districts in 22 states and union territories
falling in Zone IV and V.
To ensure that new constructions are resistent to
quakes, NDMA has prepared draft guidelines to link bank
finance for housing projects with compliance of National
Building Codes at the request of RBI.
After approval of the proposal, the RBI will circulate
it to all banks for compliance.
Guidelines for bank funding for infrastructure projects
are under preparation, sources said.
Efforts to evolve disaster risk transfer -- insurance
and risk finance mechanism at individual, regional and
national level -- will also be deliberated upon, with
proposals to increase insurance cover through suitable
incentives.
The meeting will also discuss a proposal for conducting
a national exercise on the pattern of Federal Emergency
Management Agency of the US, involving the states of Delhi,
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and
Uttarakhand.
Other states are proposed to be covered in subsequent
exercises, the sources said.