Lok Sabha Question No. 1450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-08
Subject: Disaster Preparedness for Tourists
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1450

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 08 TH  DECEMBER, 2015/AGRAHAYANA 17,1937 (SAKA)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR TOURISTS

†1450. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the steps being taken by the Government for safety of the pilgrims and tourists at the time of natural calamities at tourist places and pilgrimage centres in hilly areas;

(b) whether the measures related to earthquake, flood control and norms for the construction of buildings being strictly followed at the said places;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d)  the  total  number  of  tourists  missing  due  to  natural  calamities  during the last three years, State-wise;

(e) the amount of funds allocated by the Government for the said purpose;

(f)  whether  the  Government  has given  compensation  to  the  family members/kin of the people who died due to natural calamities; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c):  As  per  the  National  Disaster  Management  Policy,  the  primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the States. The safety measures  with  regard  to  natural  disasters  is  undertaken  by  the  State Government concerned, as they are primarily responsible for management of  natural  disasters  including  safety  of  tourist/  pilgrim.    Improvement  of disaster  preparedness  system  is  a  continuous  and evolving process of

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1450 FOR 08.12.2015

governance.  Disaster  Management  Act,  2005  provides  for  institutional mechanisms  for  drawing  up  and  monitoring  the  implementation  of  the disaster  management  plans,  which  includes  coordinated  and  prompt response  to  any  disaster  situation  in  the  country  and  requires  holistic measures by various wings of Government for prevention, mitigation and for  minimizing  the  effects  of  disasters.    The  measures  as  taken  by  the Government of India and the State Governments are expected to improve the existing disaster management practices including the preparedness, mitigation  &  control  and  response  mechanism  to  deal  with  natural disasters  more effectively  and efficiently  in the country  including entire Hilly States/ areas.

The State Governments have taken various measures for the safety of pilgrims and tourist in the state. These include:

- Strengthening of state and district disaster management systems
- Preparation of State and district disaster management plans
- Activation of state and district level Emergency Operation Centre on 24X7 basis
- Coordination with IMD, CWC, and ISRO for providing weather specific information
- Strengthening of communication and warning dissemination network
- Setting up of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
- Pre-positioning of National Disaster Response Force and SDRF at
- vulnerable locations
- Registration is being done for safety and details of the tourist/ pilgrims.
- Development of alternate routes for road communication
- Pre-positioning of necessary equipment at vulnerable locations for timely clearance of debris and
- Stocking of essential supplies medicines and others

Since, there are institutional mechanisms at the National and State level for effective management of natural disasters including taking necessary measures related to earthquake, flood control and any likely events at the time  of  natural  calamities.  In  the  case  of  building  bye  laws,  it  is  stated that, building bye laws have been put in place and the implementation of these is taken care of by the concerned regulatory authority of the State Government.

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## L.S.US.Q.NO.1450 FOR 08.12.2015

(d) & (e): With regard to missing tourist, it is stated that information on the  number  of  tourist  missing  due  to  natural  calamities  is  not  centrally maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, since execution of rescue & relief  operations  on  the  ground  is  responsibility  of  the  State  concerned. No  specific  fund  is  allocated  to  the  State  Government  in  this  regard.  In this  context  it  is  mentioned  that  the  concerned  State  Governments  are required to undertake necessary relief operations in the calamity affected areas out of the funds readily available in the corpus of the SDRF. Under the guidelines for expenditure from SDRF/ NDRF, ex-gratia payment to the families of deceased persons is admissible @ Rs. 4.00 lakh per deceased.

(f) & (g): With  regard  to  the  compensation  it  is  mentioned  that  the financial  assistance in the wake of natural disaster,  from State Disaster Response Fund/ National Disaster Response Fund is towards relief and not for compensation of loss as suffered/ claimed.

However, as per information received from State Government of Uttarakhand, they  have provided ex-gratia relief and death certificate  to next of kin of 3808 persons who went missing and declared dead as per the guidelines, in the event of natural calamity in the State of Uttarakhand in the year 2013.

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