CM taking over disaster management after minority welfare; CPM-CPI bilateral talks in final stages

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The chief minister is likely to take over the disaster management department from the CPI after minorities’ welfare. Bilateral talks between the CPM and the CPI in this regard are in the final stages. The powers of the revenue minister will be weakened as the chief minister takes over the important department. It has to be seen whether the CPI will be willing to hand over the disaster management department after forest department.

Discussions were held to combine the disaster management department with the local self-government department in the first Pinarayi government. Opposition from the CPI leadership then and other administrative and technical complications blocked it.

The collectors are the authority in the functioning of the disaster management in districts. The new changes will provide an opportunity for the chief minister's office along with the minister of revenue to directly intervene in the functioning of the disaster management.

The disaster management department was established in the state in 2005 under the Central Act. From the very beginning, the activities were in collaboration with the revenue department. In the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi and the floods of 2018 and 2019, the importance of the disaster management department increased.

The CPM is of the view that the department should be placed under the chief minister for better coordination in natural calamities. There are indications that there have been no significant disagreements in the discussions between the CPM-CPI leadership.