MYSORE: Mysore Medical Relief Society has renewed its long-pending demand for setting up a district disaster management centre in the wake of the recent rain fury causing loss to life and property in the district.

At a press conference here on Saturday, Secretary of the society S.P. Thirumula Rao said almost five years had lapsed since the Union Government had directed all the State Governments to set up district-level committees under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners to prepare disaster management plans.

The society was also nominated as a member of one of the five committees to be formed at Mysore level.

No progress

Though the Union Government's advice came after the earthquake struck Gujarat on January 26, 2001, no tangible progress has been made either on preparing a disaster management plan or constituting a disaster management centre, Dr. Rao said.

"Had such a centre been set up in Mysore, the volunteers would have been able to rush to the aid of the victims," he said.

Even before the Union Government's direction came, Dr. Rao claimed that the society had come up with the idea of forming a centre in Mysore after the fire accident at Premier Studios during the shooting of "The Sword of Tipu Sultan".

He claimed that the society has trained over 80 volunteers in first-aid and home nursing as a first step towards setting up a disaster management centre.

"Though we have trained volunteers, we are yet to receive permission from the Karnataka State Branch of St. John's Ambulance Association," he said.

"Though our organisation is ready to meet the expenses of the centre for the first two years, there is no encouragement from the authorities towards our noble intention of setting up a fully equipped disaster management centre," Dr. Rao said.

The society has also sent a proposal to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to use his good offices to ensure the setting up of a disaster management centre in Mysore.

Disheartened over the failure of the authorities to come forward in the setting up of such a centre, Dr. Rao wondered if the President's vision for India will come true.

President of the society Sanjiv Kunnatur and vice-president H.S. Venkatesh were present on the occasion.

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