Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Disaster Management today, with Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani also in attendance. The Sub-Committee conducted a detailed review of ongoing rehabilitation efforts and disaster management initiatives across the state.
The Minister appreciated the proactive measures taken by various departments to strengthen disaster preparedness and response at the grassroots level. During the meeting, officials informed that Emergency Response Centres are being set up in Panchayats across the state to ensure quick action during emergencies.
In a major step to enhance structural safety, 250 buildings have been identified for retrofitting, with work already underway in 60 schools in Chamba district. Minister Negi stressed the importance of detailed mapping of critical institutions, describing them as the lifeline of the state. He directed officials to prioritize major health institutions, including IGMC Shimla, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda, ten Regional Hospitals, and three Zonal Hospitals, to ensure their resilience during disasters.
The meeting also highlighted the work of the State-Level Insurance Committee, notified on 18 December 2025 and chaired by Secretary, Animal Husbandry Ritesh Chauhan. The Committee, which held its first meeting on 12 January, is exploring insurance options for individual and public properties to provide financial backup during disasters, reduce fiscal burden on the government, and ensure enhanced compensation for citizens.
Officials informed that the State Disaster Management Authority is developing a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System in coordination with stakeholders. The Sub-Committee decided to intensify public awareness campaigns about disaster helplines 1070 and 1077, now integrated with the national emergency number 112.
The meeting also discussed hiring private helicopters during disasters, which will be reviewed by the Chief Minister and the Cabinet. Additionally, the Sub-Committee approved filling vacant SDRF posts with personnel from the Police force to strengthen disaster response capabilities.
