Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today said that shortly, the Fire and Emergency Services would be entrusted with the responsibility of drowning rescues across the state.
“Now, at present, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Gaurd help the state during any emergency and drowning rescues, but now shortly, the Fire and Emergency Services will be entrusted the responsibility of drowning rescues across the state,” said CM Sawant during the function of Aapda Mitra/Aapda Sakhi Scheme.
He further said that disasters could happen anytime and that disaster alarm centres have been set up across talukas.
The Government of India has introduced Aapda Mitra/Aapda Sakhi Scheme, wherein the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authority have signed the MoU for implementation of the Scheme.
The Director, Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, have been nominated as the Nodal Authority for implementation of the Aapda Mitra/Aapda Sakhi Scheme. Under the scheme, India’s Government will be providing central funds of Rs. 1,58,000,00/- (One Crore Fifty-Eight Lakhs only). An amount of Rs. The Government of India has already released 94,80,000/-(Ninety-Four Lakhs Eighty Thousand Only).
The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, being the Nodal Authority for implementation of the Scheme in the State of Goa, in association with the State Disaster Management Authority, has enrolled 350 Community Volunteers (Aapda Mitra/Aapda Sakhi) from the North and South District, who will be assisting the Community during any disaster.
Altogether, 16 Aapda Sakhi and 21 Aapda Mitra have been trained to date. The training for the remaining Community Volunteers will be completed by December 2022.