New Delhi: India’s Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, declared three mega schemes worth more than Rs 8,000 crore. The cost will be used for the modernisation of fire brigade services in all states, flood mitigation in seven major cities and prevention of landslides in 17 states.

After addressing a meeting with ministers of disaster management of states and Union Territories, Shah also urged them to ensure zero risk of life due to disasters anywhere in the country.

“For the modernisation and expansion of fire brigade services, about Rs 5,000 crore assistance will be given to all states. We have prepared a detailed plan which will be forwarded to you. To mitigate the danger of floods in urban areas, in seven major cities — Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune — Rs 2,500 crore will be given. Its detailed plan will be sent to you.

Adding further Union Minister said, “To deal with landslides in 17 states, almost Rs 825 crore will be given by the central government.”

Amit Shah talked about the last nine years and how the Central government in cooperation with the states have succeeded many times in managing the disaster, however, it should not end up being self-assuring behaviour as natural calamities are constantly evolving with their intensities increasing.

“That’s why we all have to keep expanding our preparations. Disaster management is not a new concept in our country. There are documents available from Chanakya’s Arthashastra to the works of state administration of mythological times, all of them talk about disaster management,” he said.

The success of Covid times

Union Minister praised the leadership of PM Modi during the times of Covid-19, saying how the country was able to successfully face the worst endemic of the century.

Adding further, Shah said that Covid times are the best example presented before World to show how the Center and the states with people could stand agast a disaster on all fronts.

Talking about the last line years’ achievements in disaster management, he said that everyone came together and implemented early warning systems, prevention, mitigation and preparedness-based disaster management.

He further requested all states to come forward and work on them on an urgent basis and appreciated those who already implemented or formulated the work plans.