(a) whether Russia has offered technical help for setting up of a Disaster Management Centre in India on the lines of the one in Moscow;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up a Crisis Management Centre; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which a final decision in this regard is likely to be taken?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) & (b): India and Russia have signed a bilateral agreement by which either country can seek assistance from the other by way of exchanging expert teams, equipments, supplies and support materials in case of an emergency. With a view to take suitable steps in this direction, the phase-I of the project titled “National Database for Emergency Management” has been made operational. It was further decided to start a pilot project which will be operative in 10 districts spread over 4 States. The pilot project has similarities with the Russian Emergency and Disaster Management Command Centre such as GIS based software application; two way video, audio and data communication capabi- lities and can receive inputs from technical forecasting agencies like Indian Meteorological Department. However, it differs from the Russian model in terms of role of the State Government in Disaster management to suit our Federal Polity requirements without merger of existing organizations or creation of a new Ministry.
L.S.US.No.1415 for 2.12.2014
(c) & (d): A pilot scheme for setting up a National Disaster Management Command Centre was approved on 25th September, 2014 by the National Disaster Management Authority with an outlay of Rs. 19.64 crore to be implemented within a period of 18 months. The Scheme provides GIS based audio, video and data communication for emergency operation control at National, State and District level. The learning from the pilot project would help in further expansion of phase-II of National Database for Emergency Management.