The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone of the new NDRF campus at Konda Pavuluru, Gannavaram (Mandal), Krishna, Andhra Pradesh, today. The Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban poverty Alleviation and Information & broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri Chandrababu Naidu and senior officers were also present on the occasion.
This campus will come up in 50 acres land provided by the Andhra Pradesh Government and the expenditure for construction will be borne by the Central government. The campus will be completed in two years. 10th Battalion of NDRF is responsible for looking after the areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka for disaster response.
On this occasion Shri Rajnath Singh applauded the NDRF for combating disasters within the country and beyond and asserted to modernization of Force. He appreciated NDRF for gaining the confidence of people of India in a short span of 10 years. Shri Rajnath Singh said the NDRF today has competence to handle radiological, nuclear and biological disasters. The efforts of NDRF have been appreciated not only in India but also in countries like Nepal and Japan where it has provided disaster relief. recalling a conversation with the Mayor of a Japanese city, the Union Home Minister said that the mayor was particularly impressed by the way in which NDRF teams have not only rescued the survivors but also recovered the dead bodies of victims with full dignity which no other rescue agency could have probably done.
Appreciating NDRF for being effective, efficient and responsive Shri Rajnath Singh said that people of India want more NDRF Centres and the MHA is working on it. He said that the personnel of this unique Force will be provided with world class accommodation and thanked the Government of Andhra Pradesh for providing land to NDRF.
Referring to the request made earlier by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Union Home Minister said that the issue of setting up of a Grey Hounds Battalion Centre and CRPF Batallion Centres in Andhra Pradesh is being seriously examined by the MHA. In this connection he appreciated the gesture of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to give 50 acres of land to NDRF Centre. He also praised the efforts of Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in pursuing the development projects of Andhra Pradesh at the Centre.
Earlier Shri. M. Venkaiah Naidu in his speech said that the Union Government is fully aware of needs of people while fighting disasters whether natural or manmade. The government has increased compensation for loss of life from Rs. 1.2 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs and the parameter of 50% crop loss for considering in giving relief has been reduced to 33% crop loss.
Shri N. Chandra Babu Naidu also appreciated the NDRF for its prompt and effective response during disasters specially Hudhud and Wardha Cyclones. He announced that the new NDRF campus will be connected to Vijayawada bypass (4KM) with a metal road very soon and water supply for the campus will be provided form Pollavaram canal. He also requested the Union Home Minister to speed up the implementation of the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
Earlier R.K.Pachnanda, Director General, NDRF welcomed the gathering. The NDRF teams displayed the mock rescue operation during the occasion.
NDRF which has completed over a decade in the field of disaster response has responded numerous calamities across the country and beyond and proved its worth in the field of disaster response by rescuing over half a million precious lives and sensitized over 47 lakhs people through its capacity building programmes.
The NDRF which has completed over a decade in the field of disaster response has responded to numerous calamities across the country and beyond and proved its worth in the field of disaster response by rescuing over half a million precious lives and sensitized over 47 lakhs people through its capacity building programmes.
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KSD/NK/KM
