IMCT expects finalization of report within a week
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 7
The Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) after conducting its three day ‘on–the-spot-assessment’ of disasters caused by landslides and floods in Nagaland said that it expects to finalize their report within a week’s time and submit it to the Government of India.
IMCT leader KB Singh on Thursday said that the team will be able to finalize the report once they receive the detailed inputs. He added that the team would prepare the final report after receiving the reconciled memorandum from the state.
Singh informed that after the presentations made by concerned officials, the team has asked for certain details. Once they arrive, the report will be finalized. “We will try to cover all the sectors,” he said while talking to media persons after a debriefing programme here Thursday at Hotel Vivor.
Stating that a memorandum was prepared by the state, Singh however said they were informed by the state that additional information was still coming and updates were constant as information flow from some remote districts was slow.
Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) Advisor, Pukhayi meanwhile thanked the IMCT for visiting the state in this “darkest moment.”
Stating that the memorandum summary was not able to furnish details on the requirement of food-grains, he requested the team to take note of the huge shortage of rice and other essential commodities.
He informed that the state had suffered massive landslide related disasters last year as well, for which the NDRF had submitted a requirement of about Rs. 650 crore to the Government of India. He however lamented that the state was allotted only Rs. 65 crore.
In this, Pukhayi requested the IMCT to reconsider the allocation of a more reasonable amount to the state this time.
He further informed that during a recent meeting with the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, the latter apprised him that Assam used to get almost Rs. 2000 crore whenever there was a flood whereas Nagaland gets below Rs. 100 crore.
He added that the Union Minister has been asked to bring this issue to the notice of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.
Pukhayi expressed hope that the team would present a favourable report to the central government for early release of relief funds.
Sources from the NSDMA meanwhile informed that the requirement needs to be reconciled as there has been more damage in the entire state after the Union Minister’s visit.
Meanwhile, Chief Engineer of the Roads and Bridges Department, Limatongdang Jamir made a power-point presentation during the debriefing. He highlighted the damages sustained by roads and bridges during the recent disaster.
Jamir said that an amount of Rs 22.8 crore is required immediately for temporary restoration work while Rs 117.2 crore would be required for permanent repair works.
Deputy Commissioners of Phek and Kiphire also highlighted the extent of damages caused in their respective districts.
