Thiruvananthapuram: In an ironic decision, the chief minister has rejected a proposal to appoint deputy collectors in charge of disaster management in two districts that are highly vulnerable to natural disasters — Wayanad and Idukki . The proposal, moved by revenue department after the Wayanad landslides, was rejected by finance department citing shortage of funds, as in most cases of post creations in govt. However, when it was placed in the cabinet to overrule finance department’s opinion, CM himself rejected the proposal, it is reliably learnt.
The CM is also the chairman of State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and directly handles the disaster management portfolio. This portfolio was taken over from the revenue minister in the second Pinarayi Vijayan govt. According to top govt sources, the proposals for appointing deputy collectors (disaster management) in districts with no such posts have been pending before govt for a long time and were being raised as a major issue at collectors’ conferences.
However, the cases of these two districts were moved once again after the Wayanad landslides, considering their vulnerability. Besides these two hill districts, Kasaragod, Kottayam, Palakkad and Kollam also don’t have such a post. The post of deputy collector (disaster management) is crucial in districts highly vulnerable to natural calamities since these officials have responsibilities relating to disaster preparedness and coordination among various govt arms in case of an emergency.
In Idukki’s case, besides deputy collector (general), who is also additional district magistrate (ADM), there are specific deputy collectors in charge of land assignment (Munnar), revenue recovery, election, land acquisition and land reforms. Similarly, in Wayanad’s case, there are five deputy collectors, including the ADM, except the post of deputy collector (disaster management). Except these six districts, all other districts have six deputy collectors each.
Idukki and Wayanad have been lately witnessing natural disasters of massive scale. Govt sources indicated that the latest decision is the result of a standoff with revenue department, which is under CPI, from which disaster management was taken over by CPM. We also published the following articles recently No dy collector for Wayanad, Idukki to manage disasters The chief minister has rejected a proposal to appoint deputy collectors for disaster management in the highly disaster-prone districts of Wayanad and Idukki.
Although initially declined due to funding issues, the proposal was ultimately dismissed despite these areas facing recurrent natural calamities like landslides and floods. The decision affects districts already lacking such posts. Provide details of disaster management plans: HC The High Court ordered state and central governments to provide affidavits outlining disaster management plans and funds for Wayanad's landslide-affected regions.
Expressing concern over banks deducting loan instalments from relief funds, the court emphasized that such funds should be used strictly for victim care. The court directed the verification of banks' compliance with existing directives. Comprehensive post-disaster needs assessment begins at affected areas A post-disaster needs assessment study has begun in the landslide-affected Mundakkai region to estimate financial losses and devise recovery strategies.
The study involves consultations with various authorities and will last until Aug 31. Search for missing persons continues, hampered by bad weather. Some schools in the affected areas will resume classes soon.
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