Civil Defence Powers Amplified Amid India-Pakistan Tension
In response to growing military tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian authorities are urging states to empower civil defence heads for emergency procurements. This move is situated within the framework of the Civil Defence Act and Rules, 1968, aimed at safeguarding the public and vital services during hostile scenarios.
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Amid escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has advised all states and Union territories to grant emergency procurement powers to civil defence authorities. This step is intended to enable swift action in emergencies, ensuring public and infrastructural safety, as prescribed by the Civil Defence Act and Rules, 1968.
Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Vivek Srivastava, highlighted the need for states to prepare civil administrations for potential hostile attacks. He urged chief secretaries to utilize section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, which allows states to adopt protective measures crucial for maintaining essential services and safeguarding lives and property.
The directive emphasizes the prioritization of such emergency protocols by local governing bodies, underscoring the significance of these measures in light of recent Indian military strikes in Pakistan and counter-attempts from the neighboring nation. The strikes were a response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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