NHRC asks for report on relief and rehabilitation measures in quake hit areas of Gujarat
The National Human Rights Commission has directed its Special Representative, Shri P.G.J. Nampoothiri, stationed in Ahmedabad to report to it the relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken in the earthquake hit areas of Gujarat, so as to enable the Commission to take steps, if necessary, for issuing appropriate directions or guidelines to the concerned authorities of the Central or State Government for the purpose of facilitating the performance of the task.
The Commission has also decided to monitor rehabilitation measures and for this purpose it has decided to depute its Secretary General at an appropriate time to visit the affected areas and submit his report. Further steps will be taken by the Commission after considering the information received from Special Representative and the Secretary General of the Commission.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the calamity arising from the devastating earthquake, which hit large areas in the State of Gujarat, the Commission has expressed its deep sense of sorrow and concern for the unprecedented loss of life and property as the result of this catastrophic event. The Commission noted that action was underway to provide immediate relief by the Central Government, the Government of Gujarat, various other State Governments, other nations, and national and international NGOs trying to provide immediate relief. It is aware that the daunting task of rehabilitation was ahead and it was essential that the government machinery involved in rehabilitation should be able to take all the steps necessary for an equitable distribution of both relief as well as rehabilitation and in the process the poor, the destitute women, destitute children and old persons, who would be in greater need of the relief and rehabilitation measures, are not deprived and are not made to suffer. The Commission is also aware that there is a need to look into issues like preparedness for facing such calamities, specially when considerable part of the country is in an earthquake prone zone, and measures for an earthquake proofing of constructions in vulnerable areas as also the issue by coordinating disaster relief in a planned and rationale fashion.
The Commission has decided that the Chairperson and Members of the
Commission will donate two days salary and the officers and staff of the Commission will donate one-day salary to the relief fund for the earthquake affected in Gujarat. The amount so raised will be transferred to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Commission has also decided to monitor rehabilitation measures and for this purpose it has decided to depute its Secretary General at an appropriate time to visit the affected areas and submit his report. Further steps will be taken by the Commission after considering the information received from Special Representative and the Secretary General of the Commission.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the calamity arising from the devastating earthquake, which hit large areas in the State of Gujarat, the Commission has expressed its deep sense of sorrow and concern for the unprecedented loss of life and property as the result of this catastrophic event. The Commission noted that action was underway to provide immediate relief by the Central Government, the Government of Gujarat, various other State Governments, other nations, and national and international NGOs trying to provide immediate relief. It is aware that the daunting task of rehabilitation was ahead and it was essential that the government machinery involved in rehabilitation should be able to take all the steps necessary for an equitable distribution of both relief as well as rehabilitation and in the process the poor, the destitute women, destitute children and old persons, who would be in greater need of the relief and rehabilitation measures, are not deprived and are not made to suffer. The Commission is also aware that there is a need to look into issues like preparedness for facing such calamities, specially when considerable part of the country is in an earthquake prone zone, and measures for an earthquake proofing of constructions in vulnerable areas as also the issue by coordinating disaster relief in a planned and rationale fashion.
The Commission has decided that the Chairperson and Members of the
Commission will donate two days salary and the officers and staff of the Commission will donate one-day salary to the relief fund for the earthquake affected in Gujarat. The amount so raised will be transferred to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.