Govt Initiates Steps To Amend Odisha Relief Code To Widen Its Scope

Bhubaneswar: The state government has initiated steps to amend the Odisha Relief Code in an effort to widen its scope taking into consideration the changing scenario and requirements.

Sources said the government is also planning to change the name to Odisha Disaster Management Code incorporating the holistic concept of disaster management to complement the Disaster Management Act.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has reportedly initiated the process to rework the relief code, which was drafter more than 80 years ago. An expert agency will be engaged for the purpose for which tender has already been floated, an officer was quoted by TNIE as saying.
Derived from the Bihar and Odisha Famine Code-1930, the Odisha Relief Code was first drafted in 1941. It was incorporated in the Revenue department’s resolution in 1995.

The government is planning to bring in the new code within a year and efforts are being made to cover all aspects.

The expert agency will analyse the Disaster Management Act 2005 and incorporate its provisions in the code. The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) will also be studied for including their guidelines in the amended code. The provision of drought manual and guidelines issued by the government from time to time to tackle calamities will also be incorporated.

Steps will be taken to simplify the processes that are being followed as per the existing, while the format of report on daily situation during the calamity and post- disaster damage assessment will be made comprehensive.

While field study of at least six coastal districts, five flood-prone districts and five drought-prone districts will be carried out, interactions will be held at the grassroots for a more practical understanding of calamity management and the same will be reflected in the amendments.

Coordination meetings with district administrations and departments concerned will be organised, while agencies and institutions like IMD, Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC), Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and State Hydrological Data Centre (SHDC) will be consulted.