CHENNAI: Government has constituted the committee comprising experts in various fields to advise the State Disaster Management Authority on issues relating to natural calamities as per the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on October 18 last.
K Satyagopal, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration, is the Chairman and Chandra Mohan, Secretary, Revenue department, is the Co-Chairman. Eighteen others are inducted as its members. Director of disaster management will be the convener.
The formation of the committee followed a directive from the Madras HC in September.
The first meeting will be held not later than a week, the Advocate-General told the Bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan, when a batch of PILs came up on Thursday.
Counsel for petitioners and the AG requested more time to examine the disaster management plan. The bench adjourned the matter till November 15.
Corpn bracing for monsoon
With the northeast monsoon just a few days away, the Chennai Corporation is on its toes, in a bid to evade a catastrophic scenario like the floods last December.
According to a release by the Corporation, a review meeting, headed by Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary K. Phanindra Reddy, was held to discuss monsoon preparedness work.
The Corporation said that 1,229 km storm water drains had been desilted and 33 new drains and 52 integrated drains built. Forty two rescue teams and 103 motor boats are also in place. Fifteen IAS officers to monitor the progress of work have also been appointed.
On Friday (21-10-2016) at 3 pm, the residents’ welfare associations and NGOs may meet the respective zonal officers and discuss their suggestions or grievances, the release said.