Disaster Management & Corporate Responsibilities

Our country needs a disaster prevention & management (action) plan at the local level itself.  If an immediate disaster happen, first of all people are not aware how to cope and handle the situation.  We cannot expect the administration and the leadership make any positive act or immediate response. One cannot expect much from the govt. except beautiful statements. Just create a disaster management body filled with IAS and other political appointees and operating from Delhi or any other state capital is not a right approach on this issue. There is lack of co-ordination and a greater communication gap between people and administration and if the victim is not influential politically/financially/administratively, the victim cannot expect any help from the govt. as is happened in recent flash flood in Mumbai.  BMC teaching  Mumbaikars how to make rain harvesting.  People of Mumbai know  how precious every drop of water is.  If it is flood – we have to depend on bottled water.  If it is in hot summer again we can depend on bottled water.  Apart from rain harvesting, we are also learning mosquito breeding in and around our surrounding. In future, if we make a product on bottled water, mosquito, bleaching powder or anything, first thing I will do is to approach BMC and  give sponsorship for making a flood in Mumbai. Apart from this our politician and babus can make a good amount of money by diverting the help to their  respective pockets.  No accountability, no responsibility – profit after profit!  One thing is quite surprising.  I thought the stray dogs on the dog will vastly disappear.  But the opposite happen. These dogs came back with more dogs.  In an Independent India full freedom to occupy the streets and get a dog bite.  Seems our dogs got full independence. No Licence inspector permit raj after all like us. There is no caste and communal or linguistic division.  A truly secular. Animals are more equality, secular and dignity than any human beings. What to do – we are living in Democracy.   If Gandhi is reborn/ alive – he might have shouted in saying British – come back.

Central govt. declared hundreds of crores for the victims affected in flood.  In our neighbouring and other areas, not a single pie reached to the victim and the help extended to them is on a selective basis. That also provided in some area only a meager help.  What the leaders saying on newspaper and electronic media and what actually happening at ground level and extending help is entirely different.   There are also complaints that the administration extending their meager help based on communal line.  Therefore the secular immigrant linguistic minorities are badly affected. The administration in Maharashtra is communally very sensitive The collateral damage happened to Mumbai city is very large and people are quite unexpected and unprepared to face the sudden eventuality.  People got panicked due to rumours/disinformation and contact with administration cut off and the entire system become a stand still..

The incident could have maximum avoided if the administration and leadership taken preventive measures and concentrated in proper upkeep and maintenance and cleaning of the drainage system.  In many area there are several complaints that the small and big gutters are not cleaned for several months and years, flow were obstructed. Recently lots of new building came up.  But the drainage system not improved.  Many gutters were encroached by some vested interest and it added the problem further.

Our leaders day dreaming to make Mumbai to Shanghai.   If a city is built – first infrastructure we need to develop a better drainage and sanitation. That infrastructure need to be developed first.  The present drainage system is made during British Raj. Without proper planning and mismanagement, now the Mumbai started floating.  Mumbai created  by connecting 7 islands together.  But if this situation continue it will separate with old way of 7 islands. 

We need short, medium and long-term policies. Whether it is disaster management, policing or anywhere, first and foremost we need a neutral and secular, and unbiased administration. Without which nothing will change to get better result of the end beneficiary.  A cosmopolitan like Mumbai very badly demand such factors. The other thing need to be done is a better co-ordination between administration and people.  Need a Govt. private public initiative and co-ordination on this issue. 

·        Effective Utilization and mobilization of existing resources : Resource mobilization and utilization is an important factor without burdening/ heavily investing by the govt. only.   For e.g. Transporters, contractors, builders, construction companies can make use of their men, material and equipments and transportation.  Instead of a forceful participation, an Award/ reward, various incentives or tax benefits should be introduced as an encouragement which should be adopted at national level.   A socially committed contractor/ transporter used their vehicles, JCBs and such other tools, tackles and equipments get engaged and utilized, they should get preference in getting govt. contracts/ sub-contracts due to their social commitments.  In a functioning democracy, mutual trust and participation is required, instead of a forceful and discouraging attitude. We experienced AP, Gujarat, Orissa, Latur and now in Mumbai.  Corporate responsibility and their social commitments is required in a democratic set up.  After all democracy is for the Corporation, to the Corporation and by the Corporation, So without any situation, all corporation and trusts need to come to the rescue of the public. 

·        In the name of disaster management,  we don’t need a system which is filled with bulky bureaucracy and political appointees making our budget more and more deficit. 

·        The existing fire and Safety dept. need necessary accessories, equipments and  training and responsibility. 

·        All govt. servants, students need a compulsory training on disaster management.

·        In our school curriculum a ‘simple’ practical training and special programmes should be conducted by giving necessary training to the teachers.

·        Privatization of Waste management and  disposal system and introduction of new technology for electricity generation, fertilizer and other byproducts, It should not create a private monopoly and big and small private companies allowed to enter this sector.  

·        A wardwise privatization is required to ensure smooth maintenance and upkeep of the system.  At present  BMC is more concerned about imposing Licence- Inspector-permit raj. 

·        Disaster management/ action should be made quickly and need not wait to receive permission from any minister/ any top authorities.

·        All Big Hospitals like govt./ trust based/ private should be compulsorily introduced Mobile Units with well equipped with medical facilities.

·        Special and compulsory training programme for all police &  armed forces, Fire fighters etc and all govt. servants. 

·        New and Big co-operative societies/ schools/ colleges should compulsorily maintain some safety equipments like ladders, fire fighting equipments and other safety equipments and special tax benefits should be given depend upon their classification their ability to make reserve and maintain such safety norms and materials.

·        Building facility of school/ college of both private and govt. should can easily be made available if such a situation arise.

·        To avoid collateral damages and safety and security of their material from burglers/ thiefs and other elements the police and the locals need a close coordination theft/ burgling. It is more happening in  earthquake like situation.  Many a times due to mismanagement and willful neglection, most of their valuables and belongs get lost.  This is a serious issue which need a proper perspective and need to take preventive measures.

By considering the above suggestion, the readers might noticed that we are focusing more on effective and better utilization  and coordinating the existing utilities at local level which is available at a reachable distance rather than waiting any help from far away places.  Is the political leadership and other concerned authorities listening.  People need to response on this issue by giving their valuable suggestions, if they have better suggestion.