A three-day training of Master Trainees for taking further the concept of disaster management up to the grass roots level through the elected representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions was inaugurated by Dr. R.N. Batta, Special Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj in the H.P. Panchayati Raj Training Institute, Mashobra here today. This training is being attended by 51 Assistant/Block/Junior Engineers of the RD Department and PRIs from across the State of HP.
In his inaugural speech, Dr. Batta apprised the participants about India’s geo-climatic conditions as well as its high degree of socio-economic vulnerability with specific reference to the State of HP in addition to various disasters.
In view of the past history of disasters in the state and vulnerability profile, he stressed that it is important to develop a strong institutional mechanism as per the mandate of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 by involving the PRIs for ensuring preparedness and mitigation in managing the disasters effectively. Capacity building of the officials and general masses can play an important role in reducing the risk of disasters and as such building the capacity of different stakeholders is an important step towards the disaster management in the State for which a strong cadre of trained professional is required. Therefore, with a view to achieve the said objective this training programme is being organised.
The cadre of these master trainers will act as the Nodal Officers for furthering the concept of disaster management up to the village level. The second phase of training of these master trainers on technical aspect will be organised at the National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur in two training camps to be organised w.e.f. 22nd to 24th May, 2012 and 30th to 1st June, 2012 During the present training Resource persons from within the State as well as from outside the States such as National Institute of Rural development, Hyderabad, UNDP and reputed NGOs working in this field have been invited to deliver lectures on various topics during the course of three days training.
Dr. Batta further apprised the participants that immediately after completion of the training of master trainers, Block wise training camps of Pradhans and Up-Pradhans would be organised on disaster management.
