CHENNAI: Complying with a directive of Madras High Court, Tamil Nadu government has constituted a 20-member advisory committee of experts from various fields to assist the state Disaster Management authority at times of natural calamities.
State Advocate General today filed in the court a copy of the October 18 government order constituting the committee headed by Dr K Satyagopal, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration. The court had directed constitution of the committee during the hearing of a batch of petitions which found fault with the state government over release of excess water from Chembarmakkam Reservoir during December last year allegedly leading to the deluge in the city and suburbs and raised issues related to disaster management.
Revenue Secretary Chandra Mohan is the co-chairman of the committee that also comprises 18 experts in related fields. It was further informed that the Director of Disaster Management Authority will be the convener of the committee. The first meeting of the committee would be held not later than a week, the Advocate-General told the court, which adjourned the matter to November 15 for further hearing.