HYDERABAD: After divesting the women self-help groups (SHGs) of the responsibility of managing sand reaches in the state, the state government has now decided to assign them responsibility of managing and maintaining the Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelter (MPCS) buildings across the state.
The state has 232 MPCSs sanctioned by the Union government under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project at costs ranging from Rs 85 lakh to Rs 3 crore in nine coastal districts of the state.
The decision to hand over their maintenance to SHGs was taken as many of the existing 1,142 cyclone shelters in the coastal districts are in dilapidated condition and are not suitable for human habitation.
“To ensure better management and maintenance and also to provide infrastructure to the newly-constructed MPCSs, it is proposed to have Community-based Cyclone Shelter Management, Maintenance Welfare Committees,” the government stated.
Orders have been issued to handover MPCS buildings to the Village Organisations (VOs) of the SHGs for their optimum utilisation and for day-to-day management and maintenance. The VOs would be selected after consultation with the CEO, CERP and the handing over procedures would soon be developed.
The Union government had last year announced the NCRMP to 13 coastal and island states, including AP. The Project in AP involves construction of Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelters (MPCS), Construction of Roads (CoR), Culverts, Bridges and Saline Embankments besides strengthening coastal zone management framework at an estimated cost of Rs 1,187.01 crore.
Guidelines for SHGs
■ SERP to finalise Village Organisations for MPCS building maintenance
■ VOs of SHGs will manage and maintain the MPCS constructed under National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project
■ VO will ensure safe custody of the building and the equipment
■ VOs will take care of day-to-day maintenance of the shelter
■ In normal time, shelters would be used to extend benefits to local community in accordance to govt rules