Compensation norms during natural calamities need to be revisited and changed to make it more comprehensive and inclusive, Marri Sashidhar Reddy, Vice-Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority, said.
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, he expressed the need to factor local issues while broadening its scope and applicability to cover even the loss to small traders.
He felt that the norms framed under the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 should now factor various aspects of crop loss compensation, depending upon what stage the crop is, rather than merely providing same compensation to any type of crop damage or loss.
If the crop is at early stage, the loss is less compared to a stage where it is on the verge of being harvested.
Phailin impact
Referring to the extensive damage caused in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh due to the Phailin cyclone last month, he said the advanced warning system and preventive measures taken by the Centre and State Governments have limited the overall damage and loss of human lives.
He expressed the need for greater coordinated effort between various Government agencies and the Centre and State Governments in tackling disasters.
Collective effort
Apart from a collective effort, there is also a need to match the data gathered using satellite imagery and district administration to arrive at just compensation for farmers affected by natural calamities.
He hoped that the Central team would shortly visit the cyclone-affected parts of the State and provide necessary compensation to those affected. The preliminary reports had pegged the overall loss at about Rs 8,600 crore.
Following his tour of the recently rain affected parts of the State and also interactions with district collectors, he felt that the norms for use of funds (Treasury Rules) need to be made flexible allowing local administration to quickly come to the rescue of the people affected by cyclone.
The Food Corporation of India and Cotton Corporation of India need to step in and look at the damage caused to various crops and take a call on the right compensation, he said.
Telangana stir
Referring to the ongoing Telangana agitation, Reddy felt that some of the political parties championing the cause for a separate state are not serious but only trying to take advantage of the current situation.
He felt that the ‘Brand Hyderabad’ has been battered due to the agitation and it may impact the investment climate.