FICCI : Industry's Voice for Policy Change

Tripura Chronicle | Nov 09, 2022

CM Dr Manik Saha inaugurates Seminar on "Industrial Disaster Risk Management"

Tripura Times | Nov 09, 2022

Tripura CM opens 2-day Conference on Industrial Disaster Risk Management

Orissa Diary | Aug 17, 2020

Structured response group critical to manage disaster management: Executive Director, NIDM

Maj Gen M K Bindal, Executive Director, NIDM, Govt of India, today said, “The country needs a structured response group that will be prepared to handle a community-based disaster systematically.”

Addressing the audience at the launch of series of ‘Online Training Programmes on Industrial Safety’, organized jointly by FICCI and NIDM, Maj Gen Bindal said, “The first batch of the three-day online course on Industrial Safety Risk Management: Multi Hazard Scenario with Special Focus on COVID 19 will cover the principles and practices of Industrial disaster management, in a comprehensive manner.”

Highlighting the impact of COVID-19 in disaster management, he said, “COVID-19 crisis has significantly redefined the humanitarian emergency paradigm and changed our understanding of disaster management in several ways. The multi-hazard scenario has led to the need for a comprehensive training program that will allow the stakeholders to make the correct decisions.”

Elaborating on the new online training program, Maj Gen Bindal said that the topics in the program will help professionals in spotting impending failures or calamities and effectively handle such situations with their management skills, he said.

Lt Gen (Dr) J R Bhardwaj, Former Member, NDMA, and Chairman, CIDM, said, “Proper training is essential for developing the capacity of participants around disaster risk management. This course aims to improve the preparedness and response of the workforces at all levels- before, during, and post disasters. This will help stakeholders to work in a coordinated manner.”

He further mentioned that the course topics selected by FICCI, NIDM, and CIDM will help trainees in developing knowledge and skill in certain thematic areas to reduce the risk of industrial disasters.

Dr Anil K Gupta, Professor, NIDM, Gov of India, said, “Under the risk management regime in industrial risk management we have to maintain a concept of zero failure. Industrial safety is generally not an issue of financial resources, but sometimes of a lack of professionalism.” Integrated Safety is most effective and cheap, if adopted from the beginning of the design, he said.

The three-day online course will cover topics like Land use: Planning and control, Governance and Institution Framework, Hazardous Waste, Medical Preparedness for unforeseen disasters, and Occupational Health: COVID & Post COVID Era.

The faculty includes Dr Anshumali, Associate Professor, Dept of ESE, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad; Dr S P Garg, Former ED, GAIL; Dr Suneel Pandey, Director, Environment and Waste Management Division, TERI; Dr Jugal Kishore, Director Professor & Head of Department-Community Medicine, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) New Delhi, Dr Ashish Mittal, CEO, Occupational Health and Safety Management Consultancy Service, Shri A B Lal, Convener, Safety Centre, Noida and Prof C V R Murty, IIT Madras, Chennai.

More than 450 participants from industry and academia attended the course online on the first day of 3 day programme.

India Education Diary | May 24, 2020

Artificial Intelligence should be used in disaster management for saving lives: Executive Director, NIDM

Major General M K Bindal, Executive Director, NIDM, yesterday said, “There is a need for some concrete measures for industrial safety by creating a connectivity between onsite & offsite plans. Automation should be the norm of the day. The country needs more mock drills so that best practices may be followed to avoid the loss of human lives.”

Speaking at a webinar on ‘Industrial Safety – Coping with The New Normal’, organized by FICCI, jointly with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM) and Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), under the aegis of FICCI’s flagship initiative Chemical & Industrial Disaster Management (CIDM), Major General Bindal said, “Artificial Intelligence can be used to save lives in the process of disaster management efforts.”

Lt Gen (Dr) J R Bhardwaj, Chairman, Chemical & Industrial Disaster Management Board (CIDM) highlighted on the measures needed to create a culture of safety post COVID-19.

Dr R K Elangovan, Director General, DGFASLI, GoI said “robust onsite & offsite emergency planning shall be made available in the factories. The emergency team leaders, team members, equipment & facilities should also be available in the factory as per the approved emergency plan.”

Mr Lalit Gabhane, Director General, National Safety Council (NSC) said that safety audit is a proactive approach. “We must do safety audits which is relevant to Business. Pre Start-up audit is going to play a very important role” he said.

Dr Rajan Sharma, Vice President and Head HSE, Glenmark pharmaceuticals said, “The workforce dynamics has also changed dramatically in the world.”

Mr Mahesh Chandak, Head of HSE – South Asia & HSE, Business Partner for Crop Science, Bayer said, “It’s a good idea to encourage employees to work from home through the lockdown phase.”

Mr Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI said, “Proper safety precautions will be the new normal. Online sharing of experience is extremely valuable for the Safety of Chemical Industries.”

The webinar attended by over 500 industries, academia, central & state government officials from across the country.

Business Standard | Feb 06, 2020

Technology can help balance environment protection and development: Supriyo

Union Minister of State for Environment Babul Supriyo said on Thursday that climate change is a major global challenge and technology can be used to strike a balance between environment protection and development.

Speaking at the 'National Conference on Recent Trends in Environment Pollution and Disaster Risk Reduction', organised by FICCI and Indian Institute of Technology, Dhanbad, Supriyo said, "Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges that we are facing."

Highlighting the importance of using modern technologies to check environment degradation during developmental activities, the minister cited the example of coal mining where large tracts of land is dug to extract coal, but more than half of the reserves are left untapped as it requires deeper digging.

"If one can use today's technology to approach coal horizontally instead of vertically, the top layer of the earth along with trees can be saved," he said while also citing the example of the Thames river in London and how it was cleaned saying same technology should be used to clean river Ganga.

Appreciating India's efforts in protecting the environment, he said that the United Nations Environment Programme in its Emissions Gap Report in 2016 has recognised India as one of the countries on track to achieve its voluntary goal.

"In order to bring a true change in environment, you should take inspiration from the fact that India is one of the eight to nine countries in the world where greenery has gone up, forest cover has gone up by about 1.2 per cent," he said.

Rajiv Shekhar, Director, IIT (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, spoke about bringing out a sustainable mining plan and its monitoring which can help in saving the environment.

"When we are talking about environment and development, we have to take the whole life cycle - coal to power, coal to steel. We are developing a template for a sustainable mining plan which can be monitored and this monitoring part is extremely important.

"We will provide you a roadmap so that we can walk the delicate balance between environment and economic development," he said.

Speaking about disaster risks and environment pollution, GVV Sarma, Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority, urged industries to come up with simple technological solutions during natural disasters.

"During natural disasters, like cyclones, both power lines and mobile towers get disrupted, and even when the mobile towers become functional there is no way to charge the mobiles. Here, he urged the industry come up with simple solutions," he said.

Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management, spoke about climate change, degradation or environmental pollution as global phenomenon.

"Climate change, degradation or environmental pollution in one geographical region is not restricted to that region. It is global and it is likely to affect us wherever we are," he said.

An MoU was signed between FICCI and IIT(ISM), Dhanbad, during the event. The two-day national conference will hold several technical sessions.

Outlook | Feb 06, 2020

Technology can help balance environment protection and development: Supriyo

Speaking at the ''National Conference on Recent Trends in Environment Pollution and Disaster Risk Reduction'', organised by FICCI and Indian Institute of Technology, Dhanbad, Supriyo said, "Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges that we are facing."

Rajiv Shekhar, Director, IIT (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, spoke about bringing out a sustainable mining plan and its monitoring which can help in saving the environment.

"We will provide you a roadmap so that we can walk the delicate balance between environment and economic development," he said.

Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management, spoke about climate change, degradation or environmental pollution as global phenomenon.

"Climate change, degradation or environmental pollution in one geographical region is not restricted to that region. It is global and it is likely to affect us wherever we are," he said.

An MoU was signed between FICCI and IIT(ISM), Dhanbad, during the event. The two-day national conference will hold several technical sessions.

Deccan Herald | Feb 06, 2020

Technology can help balance environment protection and development: Babul Supriyo

Rajiv Shekhar, Director, IIT (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, spoke about bringing out a sustainable mining plan and its monitoring which can help in saving the environment.

"We will provide you a roadmap so that we can walk the delicate balance between environment and economic development," he said.

Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management, spoke about climate change, degradation or environmental pollution as global phenomenon.

"Climate change, degradation or environmental pollution in one geographical region is not restricted to that region. It is global and it is likely to affect us wherever we are," he said.

An MoU was signed between FICCI and IIT(ISM), Dhanbad, during the event. The two-day national conference will hold several technical sessions.

Devdiscourse | Feb 06, 2020

Technology can be used to balance environment, development. MoS for MoEFCC

Mr. Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, today said that climate change is a major global challenge and technology can be used to balance environment and development.

Speaking at the 'National Conference on Recent Trends in Environment Pollution and Disaster Risk Reduction', organised by FICCI and Indian Institute of Technology, Dhanbad, Mr. Supriyo said, "Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges that we are facing."

Highlighting the importance of using modern technologies to check environment degradation during developmental activities, the Minister cited the example of coal mining where large tracts of land are dug to extract coal, but more than half of the reserves are left untapped as it requires deeper digging.

Mr. Supriyo said that if one can use today's technology to approach coal horizontally instead of vertically, the top layer of the earth along with trees can be saved. He also cited the example of the Thames river and how it was cleaned. He wished for getting the same technology to clean the Ganga river.

Appreciating India's efforts in protecting the environment, he said that the United Nations Environment Programme in its Emissions Gap Report in 2016 has recognized India as one of the countries on track to achieve its voluntary goal.

Mr. GVV Sarma, Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority, said, "People are broadly aware of disaster risk reduction and environmental pollution but there is a danger and the danger is that when it comes to our actions, sometimes there is a tendency that our actions do not match our words."

He said that during natural disasters like cyclones both power lines and mobile towers get disrupted, and even when the mobile towers become functional there is no way to charge the mobiles. Here, he urged the industry to come up with simple solutions.

Further, he invited FICCI to host an exhibition of products and technological options that can be used in various disaster and hazard situations at the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the first week of May in New Delhi.

Major General Manoj Kumar Bindal, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management, said, "Climate change, degradation or environmental pollution in one geographical region is not restricted to that region. It is global and it is likely to affect us wherever we are."

Prof Rajiv Shekhar, Director, IIT (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, said, "When we are talking about environment and development, we have to take the whole life cycle – coal to power, coal to steel. We are developing a template for a sustainable mining plan which can be monitored and this monitoring part is extremely important."

"We will provide you a roadmap so that we can walk the delicate balance between environment and economic development," the professor told the Minister.

Mr. Santosh Kumar Singh, Senior Vice President, Adani Power Ltd, said that the issue threw up many challenges and obstacles but equally many opportunities, and that big data and artificial intelligence would be the game-changer with its predicting powers about pollution and disaster, and the best way of management.

Dr. Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI, said, "India's role in environment is extremely critical not only because of our landmass but because of the tremendous population and the state of evolution we are in terms of our economy, our manufacturing, our growth and the opportunity we have to make the right choices."

An MoU was signed between FICCI and IIT(ISM), Dhanbad, during the event. The two-day national conference will hold several technical sessions.

Drug Today | Feb 06, 2020

Maintain development, environment balance: Supriyo

Even as climate change is a major global challenge, Union Minister of State for Environment, Babul Supriyo, has said that technology can be used for maintaining balance between environment and development.

"Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges that we are facing,” Mr Supriyo said while speaking at the ‘National Conference on Recent Trends in Environment Pollution and Disaster Risk Reduction’, organised by FICCI in Delhi.

Highlighting the importance of using modern technologies to check environment degradation during developmental activities, the Minister cited the example of coal mining where large tracts of land is dug to extract coal, but more than half of the reserves are left untapped as it requires deeper digging.

He also cited the example of Thames river and how it was cleaned. He wished for getting the same technology to clean Ganga river.

Mr Supriyo said that India’s greenery has gone up, forest cover has gone up by about 1.2 per cent.”

“Our role in environment is extremely critical not only because of our landmass but because of the tremendous population and the state of evolution we are in terms of our economy, our manufacturing, our growth and the opportunity we have to make the right choices,” said Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI.

Financial Express | Jul 10, 2019

Environmental clearances for businesses to speed up; if Javadekar has his way, these many days will be needed

With an aim to increase investments so as to soon meet the ambitious goal of $5-trillion economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government intends to fasten the process of granting environmental clearances to the businesses. The processes will become even faster as the government intends to reduce the average number of days for granting permissions and approvals from 108 to 70-80 days, Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said at a conference organised by the industry body FICCI.

The government has already eased the process of granting environmental clearance to 108 days from 640 days earlier. “Unless we implement what we have decided, we can’t achieve our goals. Countries such as US and UK implement the laws ruthlessly. We have decided to give importance to the implementation aspect of the industry, and we want to see the disaster management preparedness of the industries,” the Union minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Ratan P Watal, Member Secretary of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister & Principal Adviser, NITI Aayog, said that the risk associated with the industries also stands escalated along with the rise in the number of industries since 1984. “Though the regulations have also kept up pace, but if you’re able to achieve $5 trillion economy, we have to be aware that there can be industrial disasters that need to be controlled or mitigated”, he added.

In union budget 2019-20, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that the government aims to make India a $5-trillion economy by 2024. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been very vocal on the subject and highlighted the same issue in his various speeches of late.

India Projects News | Jul 10, 2019

FICCI: Govt to reduce granting environmental clearances to 70-80 days - Union Minister

Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that the process of granting environmental clearances will become even faster as the government intends to reduce the average number of days for clearance from 108 to 70-80 days.

Speaking at the three-day 'Annual Conference on Chemical and Disaster Management (CIDM) 2019 - Industrial Safety and Emergency Preparedness ' organized by FICCI, jointly with the MoEF&CC, Mr Javadekar said that the government has already eased the process of environment clearance from 640 days earlier to 108 days now. Further, he assured to bring down the time for giving permissions and approvals to 70-80 days.

"Unless we implement what we have decided, we can't achieve our goals. Countries such as the US and UK implement the laws ruthlessly. We have decided to give importance to the implementation aspect of the industry, and we want to see the disaster management preparedness of the industries," he said.

Mr Ratan P Watal, Member Secretary of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister & Principal Adviser, NITI Aayog, Government of India said, "Since 1984 till today, the number of industries that have grown exponentially and therefore the risk connected with the industries has also gone up. Though the regulations have also kept up the pace, but if you are able to achieve $5 trillion economy, we have to be aware that there can be industrial disasters that need to be controlled or mitigated."

Mr Kamal Kishore, Member, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India said, "The ambitious target of making India a $5 trillion economy cannot be achieved without significant investment in the growth of chemical and industrial activities in the country. And if the economy has to be sustainable, the growth in the chemical and industrial sector needs to be matched with growth in resilience to industrial disasters."

A greater involvement of volunteer groups and NGOs can help create awareness, he added.

Mr L Mansingh, IAS (Retd), Former Secretary, Government of India said that experience sharing and networking is important for disaster management and preparedness.

Lt Gen (Dr) J R Bhardwaj, Chairman, CIDM highlighted the success of the conference in creating awareness and training of the delegates from the chemical industry.

This is the 34th conference organized by FICCI in partnership with NDMA & Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The Week | Jul 09, 2019

Govt to speed up environmental clearance for businesses

The new BJP government intends to bring down the time taken for giving environmental clearances for businesses to as low as around two months. According to officials, this is in tune with the ambitious target of achieving a $5-trillion economy in a few years time.

Currently, the average number of days for getting the clearance is 108 days. Speaking at a conference organised by FICCI and the Ministry of Enivronment, Forest and Climate Change, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the process of granting environmental clearance will become even faster as the government intends to reduce the average number of days for clearance from the current 108 to anywhere from 80 to as less as 70 days.

Javadekar pointed out that the first Modi government had already eased the process of environment clearance from 640 days earlier to 108. “Unless we implement what we have decided, we can’t achieve our goals. Countries such as the US and the UK implement the laws ruthlessly,” Javadekar said in his address. “We have decided to give importance to the implementation aspect of the industry, and we (also) want to see the disaster management preparedness of the industries,” he added.

Kamal Kishore, Member, National Disaster Management Authority, said, “The ambitious target of making India a $5-trillion economy cannot be achieved without significant investment in the growth of industrial activities in the country. And if the economy has to be sustainable, the growth in industrial sector needs to be matched with growth in resilience to industrial disasters.”

Cityair News | Jul 09, 2019

Govt to reduce granting environmental clearances to 70-80 days - Prakash Javadekar

Mr Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, yesterday said that the process of granting environmental clearances will become even faster as the government intends to reduce the average number of days for clearance from 108 to 70-80 days.

"Unless we implement what we have decided, we can't achieve our goals. Countries such as US and UK implement the laws ruthlessly. We have decided to give importance to the implementation aspect of the industry, and we want to see the disaster management preparedness of the industries," he said.

Mr Ratan P Watal, Member Secretary of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister & Principal Adviser, NITI Aayog, Government of India said, "Since 1984 till today, the number of industries that have grown exponentially and therefore the risk connected with the industries has also gone up. Though the regulations have also kept up pace, but if you?re able to achieve $5 trillion economy, we have to be aware that there can be industrial disasters that need to be controlled or mitigated."

Mr Kamal Kishore, Member, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of Indiasaid, "The ambitious target of making India a $5 trillion economy cannot be achieved without significant investment in the growth of chemical and industrial activities in the country. And if the economy has to be sustainable, the growth in chemical and industrial sector needs to be matched with growth in resilience to industrial disasters."

A greater involvement of volunteer groups and NGOs can help create awareness, he added.

Mr L Mansingh, IAS (Retd), Former Secretary, Government of India said that experience sharing, and networking is important for disaster management and preparedness.

Lt Gen (Dr) J R Bhardwaj, Chairman, CIDM highlighted the success of the conference in creating awareness and training of the delegates from the chemical industry.

This is the 34th conference organized by FICCI in partnership with NDMA & Ministry ofEnvironment, Forest and Climate Change and Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

xinhuanet | Jul 09, 2019

India to cut environment clearance time to 70-80 days

India will expedite the process of granting environmental clearances by reducing the number of days for clearance to 70-80 days from 108 days, said a release by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI) on Tuesday.

The government has already eased the process of environment clearance from 640 days earlier to 108 days now, said Prakash Javadekar, India's Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who was quoted by the release.

In India, environmental clearance is required for 39 types of projects to assess impact of the planned project on the environment and people before the project work is commissioned.

The minister was speaking at the three-day "Annual Conference on Chemical and Disaster Management 2019 - Industrial Safety and Emergency Preparedness" organized by FICCI.

Speaking at the conference, Kamal Kishore, Member of India's National Disaster Management Authority said that the ambitious target of making India a 5 trillion U.S. dollar economy cannot be achieved without significant investment in the growth of chemical and industrial activities in the country.

Moreover, if the economy has to be sustainable, the growth in chemical and industrial sector needs to be matched with growth in resilience to industrial disasters, Kishore said.

Business Standard | May 28, 2019

FICCI-ADPC sign MOU to promote disaster risk management in private sector

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) to promote disaster risk management in the private sector on May 17, 2019 in Geneva. As per the MoU, FICCI and ADPC will cooperate on a range of issues, including promotion of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in the private sector along with development and sharing of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) technical expertise through mutually identified means and modalities.

The agreement outlines the framework of cooperation between the two bodies to promote DRM by corporate sector to contribute to own and societal resilience with the prime objective of developing disaster risk management related capacities. It also aims to encourage corporations and commercial entities to undertake actions for own and societal resilience, developing and delivering Prioritized Training Courses and promoting DRM knowledge, experience sharing and forming joint projects.

The memorandum was signed under the umbrella of ARISE India. ARISE India network is part of Global ARISE Network of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and FICCI is the secretariat since March 18, 2019.

SME Times | May 27, 2019

FICCI-ADPC pact to promote disaster risk management in private sector

As per the MoU, FICCI and ADPC will cooperate on a range of issues, including promotion of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in the private sector along with development and sharing of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) technical expertise through mutually identified means and modalities.

It also aims to encourage corporations and commercial entities to undertake actions for own and societal resilience, developing and delivering Prioritized Training Courses and promoting DRM knowledge, experience sharing and forming joint projects.

Mr Rubaab Sood, Head, Disaster Management & Additional Director, FICCI and Mr Hans Guttman, Executive Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) signed the MoU in presence of Mr Rajeswara Rao, Adviser, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM, India); Mr P.K. Taneja, Director, SAARC Disaster Management Centre; Mr Sisira Madurapperuma, Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC); country representatives from Asian Preparedness Partnership (APP) and Brig B.K. Khanna, Consultant, FICCI.

insurancenewsnet.com | Mar 21, 2019

Enhancing public and private investment in disaster reduction to ensure sustainable development- special representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster risk reduction

Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction Ms Mami Mizutori, yesterday highlighted the importance of private sector in preventing and reducing the existing disaster related risks.

Speaking at the launch of ARISE INDIA organised by FICCI, Ms Mami said the new group ARISE India would "turn the private sectors attention to the importance of action before a disaster strikes and to take advantage of opportunities that emerge to build back better after a disaster hit."

Ms Mami added that DRR offers a suitable tool to enhance business resilience but also offers business case for implementation. "As captains of industry, you hold enormous influence within your own domains and your communities. Through the investments you make and the decisions you take, you directly impact the built world around us."

Gen N C Vij, Chairman FICCI Committee UN ARISE DM said that it is vital for the Indian economy that the private sector is resilient to the impacts of disaster and climate risks. He further added that ARISE India is a great step forward in increasing understanding of disaster risk among business circles and will help the country to meet the targets for reducing disaster losses set out in the global plan, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Lt. Gen. N C Marwah, Member, NDMA, said that ARISE INDIA will also have presence in the SAARC and ASEAN region and private sector will play an important role in developing it further. He also urged the corporate sector to invest and work on developing infrastructure for early disaster warning systems and assured government's support to ARISE INDIA.

Mr Anil Sinha, Co-Chairman, FICCI Committee UN ARISE DM said that private sector entities have large untapped potential to help provide skilled services in the form of technical manpower or in-kind donations of goods or services for preparedness & response phase of Disaster Management. For sustained survival of private sector, contingency planning is vital to survival of business entities that invest in building community resilience against disasters. He also said that Integrating disaster risk reduction into investment decisions is the most cost-effective way to reduce the risks; investing in disaster risk reduction is therefore a pre-condition for developing sustainable in a changing climate.

Brig. (Dr) BK Khanna, Lead Senior Consultant, FICCI, while sharing the Vision of ARISE INDIA, said that private sector can play a major role in mainstreaming disaster management not only in its own operations but also in other sectors and community. He said that ARISE INDIA will create a platform for DRR in the private sector with international support and urged the companies related to DRR to take advantage of the opportunities by becoming its member.

SME Times | Mar 20, 2019

'Enhance public, private investment in disaster reduction'

Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori recently highlighted the importance of private sector in preventing and reducing the existing disaster related risks.

Speaking at the launch of ARISE INDIA organised by FICCI, Mami said the new group ARISE India would "turn the private sector?s attention to the importance of action before a disaster strikes and to take advantage of opportunities that emerge to build back better after a disaster hit."

Mami added that DRR offers a suitable tool to enhance business resilience but also offers business case for implementation. "As captains of industry, you hold enormous influence within your own domains and your communities. Through the investments you make and the decisions you take, you directly impact the built world around us."

N C Vij, Chairman FICCI Committee UN ARISE DM said that it is vital for the Indian economy that the private sector is resilient to the impacts of disaster and climate risks.

He further added that ARISE India is a great step forward in increasing understanding of disaster risk among business circles and will help the country to meet the targets for reducing disaster losses set out in the global plan, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

N C Marwah, Member, NDMA, said that ARISE INDIA will also have presence in the SAARC and ASEAN region and private sector will play an important role in developing it further.

He also urged the corporate sector to invest and work on developing infrastructure for early disaster warning systems and assured government's support to ARISE INDIA.

Anil Sinha, Co-Chairman, FICCI Committee UN ARISE DM said that private sector entities have large untapped potential to help provide skilled services in the form of technical manpower or in-kind donations of goods or services for preparedness & response phase of Disaster Management.

For sustained survival of private sector, contingency planning is vital to survival of business entities that invest in building community resilience against disasters.

He also said that Integrating disaster risk reduction into investment decisions is the most cost-effective way to reduce the risks; investing in disaster risk reduction is therefore a pre-condition for developing sustainable in a changing climate.

BK Khanna, Lead Senior Consultant, FICCI, while sharing the Vision of ARISE INDIA, said that private sector can play a major role in mainstreaming disaster management not only in its own operations but also in other sectors and community.

He said that ARISE INDIA will create a platform for DRR in the private sector with international support and urged the companies related to DRR to take advantage of the opportunities by becoming its member.

Devdiscourse | Mar 19, 2019

India steps up preparations for disasters with new private sector alliance

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Mami Mizutori has highlighted the importance of the private sector in preventing and reducing the existing disaster-related risks. "The new group Arise India will turn the private sector's attention to the importance of action before a disaster strikes and to take advantage of opportunities that emerge to build back better after a disaster hit," she said while launching the initiative at industry body FICCI.

Mizutori said DRR offers a suitable tool to enhance business resilience and a business case for its implementation. "As captains of industry, you hold enormous influence within your own domains and your communities. Through the investments you make and the decisions you take, you directly impact the built world around us."

N C Vij, Chairman of FICCI Committee UN ARISE DM, said it is vital for the Indian economy that the private sector is resilient to impacts of disaster and climate risks. Arise India will help the country to meet the targets for reducing disaster losses set out in the global plan, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, he said.

Newsjizz | Mar 19, 2019

India establishes a private sector alliance for DRR

India has set up private sector alliance for disaster resilient communities, known as ARISE, an initiative supported by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

This will bring Indian corporates to work in tandem with the government to take action before a disaster strikes and build back better after a calamity. Already 140 companies worldwide are members of ARISE.

The government has taken the initiative to strengthen private sector participation and investment in building disaster resilient infrastructure and bring down disaster losses, one of the key goals of the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction.

According to UNISDR, direct economic losses from disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones and flooding are now reaching an average of $250 billion to $300 billion annually. "The World Bank estimates that disasters cost the global economy $520 billion annually," it said.

"The new group ARISE India would turn the private sector’s attention to the importance of action before a disaster strikes and to take advantage of opportunities that emerge to build back better after a disaster hits,” said Mami Mizutori, UN secretary-general’s special representative for DRR.

Climate change is making development highly risky, particularly in lower-middle income countries like India. A study released by the UNISDR last year said India suffered economic losses of $80 billion during the 20-year period of 1998 to 2017.

India has been ranked among world’s top five countries in absolute economic losses. Globally, disaster losses during this period have been estimated at $3 trillion. These losses have increased by more than 120% in the last 20 years compared to the preceding two decades (1978-1997). And if we just account for climate related disaster losses, they have gone up by more than 151%.

Krishijagran.com | Mar 19, 2019

India-Japan workshop on disaster risk reduction

The 3rd Indo-Japan Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction was held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The workshop was attended by about 140 delegates from Japan and India including experts from both the governments, top premium research institutes, city administrators, specialized Disaster Management agencies and private sector.

The Government of India and the Government of Japan had signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in September 2017. The 3rdIndo-Japan workshop is the follow-up of the deliberations held during the 1st Indo-Japan Workshop on DRR held on March 18-19, 2018 in New Delhi as well as during the 2nd Indo-Japan workshop on DRR held on October 13-15, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The 3rd workshop was organized with an objective of enhancing collaboration between research institutes, cities and the private sector in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction.

Inaugurating the workshop, Dr. P. K. Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, said that both India and Japan have world class research institutions and collaboration among them can lead to capacity building at all levels. He added that the collaboration between cities, research institutions and private sector will also result in mutual benefit and long-term Disaster Risk Reduction. Our world is changing very fast and evolving targets of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) need to be supported by solid research.  He emphasised that the collaboration between India and Japan should be strengthened in the areas of Early Warning Systems, build-back-better, capacity development, Science & Technology application and institution strengthening.

The Japanese delegation included Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Cabinet Office, Mr. Akihiro Nakamura, Ambassador of Japan to India, Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, along with Government officials, domain experts from leading research institutes and various private companies working in the fields of Disaster Risk Reduction had participated in this workshop.

Japanese Ambassador, in his address, appreciated that the workshop is held once every six months and reiterated the significance of three themes set for this workshop as collaboration amongst research institutes, among cities and among private companies, from the point of view that Disaster Risk Reduction should involve various stakeholders, and expressed Japan’s continuous support to India’s challenges towards DRR in every possible way. 

Ms Mami Mizutori, Assistant Secretary General and Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), in her address, said that disasters are complex problems, and no country or organization has all the answers on how to best mitigate every type of disaster. India and Japan are two countries that have faced some of the biggest disasters in human history, but have also taken concrete steps towards better Disaster Management in the future. There is a lot to share between the two countries and she strongly believed that their joint efforts will advance global resilience.

On the sidelines of the event, Dr. P. K. Mishra held bilateral talks with Mr. Akihiro Nakamura, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Cabinet Office, Japan.  During bilateral talks, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment for bilateral cooperation in the areas of Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

Business Standard | Mar 19, 2019

India launches private sector alliance to reduce disaster losses and risks

Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Mami Mizutori has highlighted the importance of private sector in preventing and reducing the existing disaster related risks.

"The new group Arise India will turn the private sector's attention to the importance of action before a disaster strikes and to take advantage of opportunities that emerge to build back better after a disaster hit," she said while launching the initiative at industry body FICCI.

Mizutori said DRR offers a suitable tool to enhance business resilience and a business case for its implementation.

"As captains of industry, you hold enormous influence within your own domains and your communities. Through the investments you make and the decisions you take, you directly impact the built world around us."

N C Vij, Chairman of FICCI Committee UN ARISE DM, said it is vital for the Indian economy that the private sector is resilient to impacts of disaster and climate risks.

Arise India will help the country to meet the targets for reducing disaster losses set out in the global plan, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, he said.

The Times of India | Mar 19, 2019

India sets up private sector alliance for DRR

India has set up private sector alliance for disaster resilient communities, known as ARISE, an initiative supported by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

ANI | Mar 19, 2019

India launches private sector alliance to reduce disaster losses and risks

"The new group Arise India will turn the private sector’s attention to the importance of action before a disaster strikes and to take advantage of opportunities that emerge to build back better after a disaster hit,” she said while launching the initiative at industry body FICCI.

Mizutori said DRR offers a suitable tool to enhance business resilience and a business case for its implementation.

N C Vij, Chairman of FICCI Committee UN ARISE DM, said it is vital for the Indian economy that the private sector is resilient to impacts of disaster and climate risks.

Arise India will help the country to meet the targets for reducing disaster losses set out in the global plan, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, he said.

reliefweb | Mar 18, 2019

India launches private sector alliance to reduce disaster losses

India today saw the launch of a UN-backed initiative to harness the power of the private sector to reduce the country’s exposure to disasters and the huge economic losses that come with them.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mami Mizutori, said the new group ARISE India would “turn the private sector’s attention to the importance of action before a disaster strikes and to take advantage of opportunities that emerge to build back better after a disaster hits.”

This brings to 17 the number of ARISE national networks around the world. ARISE is the Private Sector Alliance For Disaster Resilient Communities supported by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. At the international level over 140 companies representing the worlds of finance and industry are members. India is represented on the international ARISE Advisory Board by Nirankar Saxena, deputy Secretary-General of the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Mr. Saxena said: “It is vital for the Indian economy that the private sector is resilient to the impacts of disaster and climate risks. We must build to last and otherwise anticipate and adapt to potentially disruptive and hazardous events for the well-being of our employees and the communities in which we are located.

“ARISE India is a great step forward in increasing understanding of disaster risk among business circles and will help the country to meet the targets for reducing disaster losses set out in the global plan, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.”

The Sendai Framework advocates for partnership with the private sector to reduce disaster losses. Direct economic losses from disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones and flooding are now reaching an average of US$250 billion to US$300 billion annually. The World Bank estimates that disasters cost the global economy US$520 billion annually.

“As captains of industry, you hold enormous influence within your own domains and your communities. Through the investments you make and the decisions you take, you directly impact the built world around us,” said Ms. Mizutori. She also noted that today marks the 4th anniversary of the adoption of the Sendai Framework.

The Arunachal Times | Jul 02, 2018

Rijiju to lead Indian delegation for disaster meet in Mongolia

An Indian delegation led by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will participate in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR 2018) to be held in Mongolia from 3 July.

The four-day meet in Ulaanbaatar is expected to host over 3,000 delegates and participants from Asian and Pacific countries, governmental and inter-governmental organisations, the United Nations and other stakeholders, an official statement said on Sunday.

Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, will present the country statement on 4 July and chair a technical session on disaster risk reduction, it said.

PK Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will co-chair a session on ‘Strengthening disaster resilient infrastructure and urban resilience’ on 5 July.

National Disaster Management Authority member Kamal Kishore will be a speaker at the same event and NDMA member RK Jain will present a case study on heat wave during a technical session.

India will also organise a side event during the AMCDRR on cultural heritage and disaster risk management, the statement said.

Participants from private sectors/the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will attend an event being jointly organised by the Mongolian Chambers of Commerce and the FICCI.

Some Indian companies are also expected to present their firms’ activities on disaster risk management, it said.

India | Jul 01, 2018

Rijiju to lead Indian delegation for disaster meet in Mongolia

An Indian delegation led by Union minister Kiren Rijiju will participate in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR 2018) to be held in Mongolia from July 3.

Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, will present the country statement on July 4 and chair a technical session on disaster risk reduction, it said. P K Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will co-chair a session on ‘strengthening disaster resilient infrastructure and urban resilience on July 5.

Kamal Kishore, member, National Disaster Management Authority, will be a speaker at the same event and R K Jain, member, NDMA, will present a case study on heat wave during a technical session.

India will also organise a side event during the AMCDRR on cultural heritage and disaster risk management, the statement said. Participants from private sector/the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will attend an event being jointly organised by the Mongolian Chambers of Commerce and the FICCI.

Some Indian companies are also expected to present their firms’ activities on disaster risk management, it said.

EENADU INDIA | Jul 01, 2018

Rijiju to lead Indian delegation for disaster meet in Mongolia

An Indian delegation led by Union minister Kiren Rijiju will participate in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR 2018) to be held in Mongolia from July 3.

Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, will present the country statement on July 4 and chair a technical session on disaster risk reduction, it said.

P K Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will co-chair a session on 'strengthening disaster resilient infrastructure and urban resilience on July 5.

Kamal Kishore, member, National Disaster Management Authority, will be a speaker at the same event and R K Jain, member, NDMA, will present a case study on heat wave during a technical session.

India will also organise a side event during the AMCDRR on cultural heritage and disaster risk management, the statement said.

Participants from private sector/the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will attend an event being jointly organised by the Mongolian Chambers of Commerce and the FICCI.

Some Indian companies are also expected to present their firms' activities on disaster risk management, it said.

First Post | Jul 01, 2018

Kiren Rijiju to lead Indian delegation for meeting on disaster management in Mongolia; session to begin on 3 July

An Indian delegation led by Union minister Kiren Rijiju will participate in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR 2018) to be held in Mongolia from 3 July. The four-day meet in Ulaanbaatar is expected to host over 3,000 delegates and participants from Asian and Pacific countries, governmental and inter-governmental organisations, the United Nations and other stakeholders, an official statement said on Sunday.

Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, will present the country statement on 4 July and chair a technical session on disaster risk reduction, it said.

PK Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the prime minister, will co-chair a session on 'strengthening disaster-resilient infrastructure and urban resilience on 5 July.

Kamal Kishore, member, National Disaster Management Authority, will be a speaker at the same event and RK Jain, member, NDMA, will present a case study on heat wave during a technical session. India will also organise a side event during the AMCDRR on cultural heritage and disaster risk management, the statement said.

Participants from private sector/the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will attend an event being jointly organised by the Mongolian Chambers of Commerce and the FICCI. Some Indian companies are also expected to present their firms' activities on disaster risk management, it said.

India Today | Jul 01, 2018

Rijiju to lead Indian delegation for disaster meet in Mongolia

An Indian delegation led by Union minister Kiren Rijiju will participate in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR 2018) to be held in Mongolia from July 3.

Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, will present the country statement on July 4 and chair a technical session on disaster risk reduction, it said.

P K Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will co-chair a session on 'strengthening disaster resilient infrastructure and urban resilience on July 5.

Kamal Kishore, member, National Disaster Management Authority, will be a speaker at the same event and R K Jain, member, NDMA, will present a case study on heat wave during a technical session.

India will also organise a side event during the AMCDRR on cultural heritage and disaster risk management, the statement said.

Participants from private sector/the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will attend an event being jointly organised by the Mongolian Chambers of Commerce and the FICCI.

Some Indian companies are also expected to present their firms' activities on disaster risk management, it said.

Business Standard | Jul 01, 2018

Rijiju to lead Indian delegation for disaster meet in Mongolia

An Indian delegation led by Union minister Kiren Rijiju will participate in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR 2018) to be held in Mongolia from July 3.

Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home, will present the country statement on July 4 and chair a technical session on disaster risk reduction, it said.

P K Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will co-chair a session on 'strengthening disaster resilient infrastructure and urban resilience on July 5.

Kamal Kishore, member, National Disaster Management Authority, will be a speaker at the same event and R K Jain, member, NDMA, will present a case study on heat wave during a technical session.

India will also organise a side event during the AMCDRR on cultural heritage and disaster risk management, the statement said.

Participants from private sector/the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will attend an event being jointly organised by the Mongolian Chambers of Commerce and the FICCI.

Some Indian companies are also expected to present their firms' activities on disaster risk management, it said.

KNN | Jun 21, 2018

In-hand training on industrial security is crucial for small industries: UP Governor

Small industries must get in-hand training on industrial security, said Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Naik.

He was speaking at the 3-day seminar on “Industrial Safety and Emergency Preparedness” jointly organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Government of Uttar Pradesh, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Natural Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Chemical & Industrial Disaster Management (CIDM) Board in Lucknow.

He thanked FICCI for organizing this program and said, UP is one of the largest states in India and such kind of program is crucial for creating awareness of industrial safety among people.

Speaking at the seminar, Industrial Development Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Satish Mahana said, "Before setting up an industry, it is more important how we plan, make policies and create funds for disaster management. In the Industrial plan, how industrial safety training will be given under PPP.”

He said that the government can give directions but society has to work on it. People lose everything within seconds due to lack of proper training, so it is necessary that workers are made aware of industrial security and emergency preparedness.

Raising importance to industrial safety, Commissioner, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department, Dr. Anup Chandra Pandey said, "For every industrial safety four pillars are very important, firstly the legal framework, protocols, resources and the most important thing is to have participation of people.

In the presentation, Sanjay Kumar, Relief Commissioner, Government of UP emphasized on the importance of building capacities among the industries in ensuring highest level of safety.

He called FICCI as the apex chamber of commerce of India to be the nodal agency in propagating safety standards in partnership with relevant government departments.

The Times of India | Jun 20, 2018

FICCI organises a 3-day seminar on Industrial Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly with Government of Uttar Pradesh, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Natural Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Chemical &Industrial Disaster Management (CIDM) Board together organised a 3-days seminar on ‘Industrial Safety and Emergency Preparedness’ on June 19, 2018 in Lucknow.

During the program, UP’s governor Ram Naik, UP’s Minister of Industrial Development, Satish Mahana, Commissioner, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department, Anup Chandra Pandey, Deputy Secretary General of FICCI, Nirakar Saxena and UP’s Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar were present.

The seminar witnessed participation of over 300 industry delegates throughout India from various sectors including Oil & Gas, Petroleum etc. along with key stakeholders from the government. A technical session was conducted which focused on various important issues related to prevention, preparedness, mitigation and best practices for ensuring safety in chemical, Petro-chemicals, Natural gas and Petroleum Industries.

A large number of experts, regulators and delegates from concerned government departments, agencies and industrial sectors actively participated in the seminar. Officials said that the seminar will provide opportunity of hands on training & capacity development of on-site and off-site responders, medics, paramedics during emergencies.

newKerala.com | Jun 15, 2018

Gen. N C Vij calls for thrust on urban risk reduction

Members of the UNISDR ARISE FICCI Board today deliberated on the future course of actions to be taken to accelerate the pace of work in disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities with the new Chairperson, General N C Vij suggesting that the key activity to focus on was urban risk reduction and management instead of spreading resources thinly.

Addressing the UNISDR ARISE FICCI members, Gen. Vij said, "We should focus our efforts on few key activities instead of all. Focused efforts to reduce the risks emanating from the natural and man-made disasters in urban India can then be translated into rural India with modifications to suit the local needs."

Members were of the view that funding for disaster risk management was a key issue that needed to be addressed upfront. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) J R Bhardwaj, former Member NDMA, felt that UNISDR and the government should allocate funds to ARISE India to take its activities forward.

Anil Sinha, Co-Chair, ARISE FICCI, said disaster risk reduction does not get much funding as opposed to climate change initiatives, as benefits of DRR are not visible in the short-term. He said there was a need to create awareness, share knowledge and change in mindsets, going forward.

UNISDR ARISE FICCI is a private sector initiative focused on disaster reduction. "We are trying to sensitise the private sector on the best practices and also showcase the business opportunities in Disaster Risk Reduction," said Mr. Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI.

ARISE FICCI has partnered with Integrated Institute of Rural Management (IIRM), Shimla for a pilot project- covering 3226 panchayats - aimed at making villages smart (covering disaster reduction) and opening-up of business opportunities in rural areas, said Brig. (Dr) BK Khanna, CEO, ARISE FICCI.

ARISE stands for the UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies. It is committed to implementing the Sendai Framework with emphasis to ensure the private sector investments and operations are hazard resilient (risk sensitive), in collaboration with the public sector. Seven themes adopted by UNISDR ARISE are disaster risk management strategies, investor metrics, bench marking and standards, education and training, legal and regulatory, urban risk reduction and resilience and insurance.

The Sendai Framework signed by 187 countries, including India, in March 2015, highlights lack of regulations and incentives for private disaster risk reduction investment as an underlying risk driver and called for business to integrate disaster risk into their management practices.

FICCI has been working actively on disaster mitigation in the industrial sector since 2003, although earlier it had confined its activities in relief and reconstruction phases post - disaster. It is based on its credentials and commitment to disaster risk reduction/management that UNISDR entrusted FICCI to be full -fledged Member of UNISDR ARISE on 04 August 2017, to take its initiatives on DRR to the next level.

Thus FICCI is the only Chamber of Commerce to represent private sector from India in the area of disaster risk reduction. ARISE FICCI has volunteered to become ARISE INDIA network which is pending with UNISDR ARISE and is likely to fructify shortly.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. KM Singh, Founder Member, NDMA and, Mr. Rajeshwar Rao, Adviser, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.

Presentations were made on 'SMART Village Concept- Ruralising India, Empowering Villages' by Dr. L C Sharma, MD, Integrated Institute of Rural Management, Shimla and 'Operations Resilience - National-Level Portal' by Mr. Sarthak Handa, an alumni of IIT Kanpur and a start-up entrepreneur.

Business Standard | Jun 14, 2018

Gen. N C Vij calls for thrust on urban risk reduction

ARISE FICCI has partnered with Integrated Institute of Rural Management (IIRM), Shimla for a pilot project- covering 3226 panchayats - aimed at making villages smart (covering disaster reduction) & opening-up of business opportunities in rural areas, said Brig. (Dr) BK Khanna, CEO, ARISE FICCI.

ARISE stands for the UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies. It is committed to implementing the Sendai Framework with emphasis to ensure the private sector investments and operations are hazard resilient (risk sensitive), in collaboration with the public sector. Seven themes adopted by UNISDR ARISE are disaster risk management strategies, investor metrics, bench marking & standards, education & training, legal & regulatory, urban risk reduction & resilience and insurance.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. KM Singh, Founder Member, NDMA and, Mr. Rajeshwar Rao, Adviser, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.

sify finance | Jun 14, 2018

Gen. N C Vij calls for thrust on urban risk reduction

ARISE FICCI has partnered with Integrated Institute of Rural Management (IIRM), Shimla for a pilot project- covering 3226 panchayats - aimed at making villages smart (covering disaster reduction) & opening-up of business opportunities in rural areas, said Brig. (Dr) BK Khanna, CEO, ARISE FICCI.

ARISE stands for the UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies. It is committed to implementing the Sendai Framework with emphasis to ensure the private sector investments and operations are hazard resilient (risk sensitive), in collaboration with the public sector. Seven themes adopted by UNISDR ARISE are disaster risk management strategies, investor metrics, bench marking & standards, education & training, legal & regulatory, urban risk reduction & resilience and insurance.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. KM Singh, Founder Member, NDMA and, Mr. Rajeshwar Rao, Adviser, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.

Outlook | Jun 14, 2018

Gen. N C Vij calls for thrust on urban risk reduction

ARISE FICCI has partnered with Integrated Institute of Rural Management (IIRM), Shimla for a pilot project- covering 3226 panchayats - aimed at making villages smart (covering disaster reduction) & opening-up of business opportunities in rural areas, said Brig. (Dr) BK Khanna, CEO, ARISE FICCI.

ARISE stands for the UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies. It is committed to implementing the Sendai Framework with emphasis to ensure the private sector investments and operations are hazard resilient (risk sensitive), in collaboration with the public sector. Seven themes adopted by UNISDR ARISE are disaster risk management strategies, investor metrics, bench marking & standards, education & training, legal & regulatory, urban risk reduction & resilience and insurance.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. KM Singh, Founder Member, NDMA and, Mr. Rajeshwar Rao, Adviser, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.

India | Jun 14, 2018

Gen. N C Vij calls for thrust on urban risk reduction

Addressing the UNISDR ARISE FICCI members, Gen. Vij said, “We should focus our efforts on few key activities instead of all. Focused efforts to reduce the risks emanating from the natural and man-made disasters in urban India can then be translated into rural India with modifications to suit the local needs.”

UNISDR ARISE FICCI is a private sector initiative focused on disaster reduction. “We are trying to sensitise the private sector on the best practices and also showcase the business opportunities in Disaster Risk Reduction,” said Mr. Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI.

ARISE FICCI has partnered with Integrated Institute of Rural Management (IIRM), Shimla for a pilot project- covering 3226 panchayats – aimed at making villages smart (covering disaster reduction) & opening-up of business opportunities in rural areas, said Brig. (Dr) BK Khanna, CEO, ARISE FICCI.

ARISE stands for the UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies. It is committed to implementing the Sendai Framework with emphasis to ensure the private sector investments and operations are hazard resilient (risk sensitive), in collaboration with the public sector. Seven themes adopted by UNISDR ARISE are disaster risk management strategies, investor metrics, bench marking & standards, education & training, legal & regulatory, urban risk reduction & resilience and insurance.

FICCI has been working actively on disaster mitigation in the industrial sector since 2003, although earlier it had confined its activities in relief and reconstruction phases post – disaster. It is based on its credentials and commitment to disaster risk reduction/management that UNISDR entrusted FICCI to be full -fledged Member of UNISDR ARISE on 04 August 2017, to take its initiatives on DRR to the next level.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. KM Singh, Founder Member, NDMA and, Mr. Rajeshwar Rao, Adviser, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.

Presentations were made on ‘SMART Village Concept- Ruralising India, Empowering Villages’ by Dr. L C Sharma, MD, Integrated Institute of Rural Management, Shimla and ‘Operations Resilience – National-Level Portal’ by Mr. Sarthak Handa, an alumni of IIT Kanpur and a start-up entrepreneur.

Aviation & Defence | Jun 14, 2018

Gen. N C Vij takes over Reins of Disaster Risk Reduction activities in FICCI

General Nirmal Chander Vij, former founder Vice Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority and Former Chief of the Army Staff, who took over as Chairperson of UNISDR ARISE FICCI Board, an all encompassing body on disaster risk management in FICCI, desired that ARISE FICCI approach to disaster risk reduction should be holistic with special emphasis on giving impetus to innovations, technology and new ideas in finding solutions to disaster risk management.

He also stressed on taking up urban risk management and community based disaster management in addition to developing the capacity of the industries in managing perceived disasters. He further said that Sendai Framework for DRR as well as outcome of Global Platform 2017, held in Mexico recognized that the disaster risk reduction has to become an inherent part of sustainable development, a set of practices and approaches embedded in its DNA. Without effective and inclusive disaster and climate risk management and risk-sensitive socio economic upliftment, planning will not be sustainable.

Nirankar Saxena, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI and Member Secretary of UNISDR ARISE FICCI said that “we are trying to sensitize the private sector on best practices and also showcase business opportunities in disaster risk reduction”. The Board reviewed the activities of ARISE FICCI since its inception and also chalked out the strategy, themes and action plan for implementation towards Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in private sector in collaboration with public sector and other stakeholders. They also viewed that this forum can act as a think tank to the Government of India for disaster risk reduction activities for implementation of Sendai Framework and Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the private sector.

While discussing on the status report of ARISE FICCI and way ahead presented by Brig B K Khanna, CEO UNISDR ARISE FICCI, the members suggested that ARISE FICCI should concentrate on innovations at the local level, fire safety, use of technology and new ideas and sharing of the knowledge, identifying the training institutions on disaster risk reduction and promoting them urban risk management and management of live stocks during and after disasters.

During the Board Meeting, managing directors of the Integrated Institute of Rural Development, Shimla made presentation on the pilot project on smart panchayats – ruralizing India empowering villages (RIEV) and Operations Resilience, two initiatives under ARISE FICCI.

The meeting was attended byAnil Sinha, Founder Vice Chairperson, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, Lt Gen J R Bhardwaj, Founder Member, NDMA, KM Singh, Founder Member, NDMA, Prof V K Sharma, Vice-Chairman, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, L Mansingh, Former Chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Rajeswara Rao, Adviser, Economic Advisory Council To The Prime Minister, Nirankar Saxena, Dy. Secretary General, FICCI & Co-Chair of UNISDR ROAP Advisory Working Group for Private Sector, Brig (Dr) B K Khanna, Sr. Consultant, (DM) FICCI and CEO ARISE FICCI.

ANI | Jun 14, 2018

Gen. N C Vij calls for thrust on urban risk reduction

ARISE FICCI has partnered with Integrated Institute of Rural Management (IIRM), Shimla for a pilot project- covering 3226 panchayats - aimed at making villages smart (covering disaster reduction) & opening-up of business opportunities in rural areas, said Brig. (Dr) BK Khanna, CEO, ARISE FICCI.

ARISE stands for the UNISDR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies. It is committed to implementing the Sendai Framework with emphasis to ensure the private sector investments and operations are hazard resilient (risk sensitive), in collaboration with the public sector. Seven themes adopted by UNISDR ARISE are disaster risk management strategies, investor metrics, bench marking & standards, education & training, legal & regulatory, urban risk reduction & resilience and insurance.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. KM Singh, Founder Member, NDMA and, Mr. Rajeshwar Rao, Adviser, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.

The New Indian Express | Oct 12, 2017

'SMEs need better disaster management plan'

Nearly a month after a major mishap occured at HPCL bottling plant at Cherlapally, officials from Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, National Disaster Management Authority and the government of Telangana met at a conference hosted by FICCI to discuss industrial disaster management. The three-day conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM) that started on Wednesday will culminate with a mock drill exercise at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) bottling plant, Cherlapally Industrial Area on Friday.

Expressing the urgency for addressing the industrial disaster management in State by small and medium enterprises, Commissioner for Labour, Employment, Training and Factories, Ahmed Nadeem, said that SMEs need to adopt better disaster management practices in line with safety standards of larger Indian industries. The sheer enormity of a chemical accident and its irrevocable consequences for employees, stakeholders demands that every effort must be made to stop chemical disasters, he added.

Deccan Chronicle | Oct 12, 2017

Over 70 companies flout norms

Over 70 industries in the city, under the Major Accident Hazard (MHA) category, are not following the disaster mitigation guidelines, said Lt. General R. Bharadwaj, chairman of chemicals and industrial disaster management.

He made this observation at the conference on industrial disaster management, organised by FICCI and national disaster management authority. “The sheer enormity of a chemical accident and its irrevocable consequences for employees, stakeholders and neighbouring communities demands that every effort must be made to stop chemical disasters,” said Mr Ahmed Nadeem. commissioner, employment training and factories.

The Hindu | Oct 11, 2017

Call to be ready for disasters

A three-day conference on Chemical and Industrial Disaster Management (CIDM) began in the city on Wednesday to lay stress on the need to improve preparedness for handling accidents.

“The Bhopal gas tragedy is long behind us but we cannot forget it. Now, we have very few accidents and we are better able to cope with them,” Commissioner Industries Ahmed Nadeem said.

Better management

“We have to ensure that we are prepared for challenges of chemical and disasters. Their management requires further improvements to templates that may be existing. We cannot let even small tragedies take place because human life is more important than wealth. We want good ideas and better kind of management,” said Mr. Nadeem.

On the third day of the conference, an onsite drill at Cherlapally industrial area is scheduled to take place for the benefit of delegates drawn from various industries and safety organisations.

JR Bhardwaj of Chemical and Industrial Disaster Management said the conference is to build capacities is to build capacities. National guidelines for disaster management were released in 2007. They remained on paper and its implementation has remained a challenge. Prevention, preparedness, mitigation and quick response are the focus of this conference,” said Mr. Bhardwaj.

India | Jun 03, 2017

Special certificate courses may cost more under GST

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly with Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMA) with the Government of Maharashtra as host and Government of Gujarat as state partners have come together to organize a National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM): May 30-June 01, 2017, The Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai.

The three day conference witnessed participation of over 400 industry delegates from over 20 states. The main focus of the conference was to make industry globally safe by better emergency planning of accidents – onsite, offsite including isolated storage and special emphasis on chemical emissions. The conference would also provide a platform to companies to share their success stories, best practices and technologies to minimize accidents on production site and during transportation of Chemicals, Hazardous /Toxic Substances, Petroleum Products and Gases either through Pipelines or POL tankers.

CIDM conferences attempt to redefine modalities of corporate participation in disaster management activities from the present involvement in post disaster activities to more focused prevention, preparedness and mitigation initiatives so as to be in sync with the initiatives of National Disaster Management Authority.

Shri Nirankar Saxena, Assistant Secretary General FICCI welcomed all to the 30th edition of National Conference on CIDM. He elaborated on the role of FICCI which has been pioneering focused education, training and awareness programs to keep all industrial and societal stakeholders in national and international loop of global solutions to outstanding environmental and safety issues. He further stated the idea of private sector involvement in disaster management especially through technological and innovative products which can transform this sector and help in reducing vulnerability and mortality during Industrial and chemical disasters.

Shri M P Ramachandran, Executive Committee member, FICCI in his speech elaborated on the Chemical Industrial Disaster Management as a subject of great urgency which affects human-kind. The sheer enormity of a chemical accident and its irrevocable consequences for employees, stakeholders and neighboring communities; demands that every effort must be made to ensure and stop chemical disasters. To that end, joint conferences on chemical industrial disaster management are made especially giving importance to prevention and management of chemical and industrial disasters which has been the focus for Industry Chambers like FICCI for more than twenty years.

Dr. D N Sharma, Member NDMA stressed on regulatory regime in country and corporations should derive mileage of this so as to manage disasters efficiently with the involvement of the government machinery.

Shri Subhash Rajaram Desai, Hon’ble Minister, Industries and Mining; Government of Maharashtra in his Keynote address expressed “India is developing as a key global player in the industrial and technology sector. Rapid industrialization has increased the hazard, risk and vulnerability to the industry and the environment.

Major Chemical (Industrial) disasters are low in frequency but are very significant in the terms of loss of lives, injuries, environmental impact and property damage. While chemical accidents may occur whenever toxic materials are stored, transported or used, the most severe accidents are industrial accidents, involving major chemical manufacturing and storage facilities.”

Shri Chandrakant (Dada) Bachchu Patil, Hon’ble Minister Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Public Works (excluding Public Undertakings); Government of Maharashtra accolade the conference in his Inaugural speech and also provided a prospective roadmap for the Chemical Industrial Disaster Management mitigation said “This conference will also attempt to redefine modalities of corporate participation in disaster management activities from the present involvement in post disaster management to more focused prevention, preparedness and mitigation so as to be a part of paradigm shift in approach to disaster management.”

Mr. Rubaab Sood Additional Director FICCI appealed to the government of Maharashtra and the industrial bodies of Maharashtra to join hands for the joint initiative of FICCI and UNISDR namely The Global United Fund for Resilient Risk Management (GUFRRM) which is the first of its kind in the world and worth 100-million-dollar fund. The aim of the project is to help the private sector in utilizing the innovations, research and new ideas for disaster risk management as a business model. Maharashtra state council will be coordinating its membership in western region.

Lt. Gen (Dr). J R Bhardwaj; PVSM AVSM VSM PHS (Retd.) Hon’ble Chairman , CIDM Forum thanked Government of Maharashtra and Gujarat, all sponsors and supporters of the conference viz. globally accredited international agencies, NDMA, PNGRB, CIFs and all other institutions, knowledge partners, IITs and faculties, Universities, industries and industry associations who have sent eminent faculties and delegates for their participation in making this epoch event a grand success. He also thanked all the sponsors namely Government of Maharshtra, Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, Gujarat State Petronet Ltd., GAIL (India) Ltd., Mahanagar Gas, Hindustan Petroleum(HPCL) and Indian Oil (IOCL) for their vehement support and sponsorship. He concluded by stating that this conference will provide a platform for exchange of information, best management practices and technical know-how to the entire industry fraternity for disaster risk reduction.

The Three day conference witnessed of over 40 eminent speakers and more than 200 delegates Pan India. The conference discussed vital and diverse topics like Legislation, PCPIR & Emergency Scenarios and Outcomes in a Chemical Industry, Disaster Risk Reduction (Mitigation) and Preparedness in Chemical Industry, Safety Measures in Petroleum & Natural Gas Sector, Role of Responders in Disaster Risk Reduction etc.

As a part of the CIDM (Conference on Industrial Disaster Management) organized by FICCI and the State Government of Maharashtra on May 30, 31, 2017 in Mumbai a mock exercise was conducted on June 1, 2017 at M/S.SI Group India Pvt. Limited, Navi Mumbai, producing petrochemical products. All the participants of CIDM from 11 states, Disaster Management Division of State, DISH, Thane District Authorities, MARG members and other first responders like Police, Fire & Emergency Response Services (FERS), medical services, NMMC, PRO and others, besides the industry responders participated in the exercise.

The simulated scenario was initiated for an “onsite” emergency subsequently escalating to an “offsite” emergency calling for external responders. The unit has got adequate safety systems and the detailed ‘onsite’ plan for mitigation of any type of emergency/disaster. The casualties declared during the mock exercise were sent to designated government/private hospitals after TRIAGE in OHC of the unit. The response of MARG members was appreciable and the first responders were quick to rise to the occasion. The traffic was managed well without causing inconvenience to the public along the main Sion – Panvel highway.

After the mock exercise, a debriefing was organized in which observers gave their inputs and participants shared their learning experience. From FICCI, Brig. (Dr.) B.K. Khanna , Consultant (DM) and former adviser NDMA coordinated the overall mock exercise.

The mock was witnessed by Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA, State and District official Ms. Vandana Suryavanshi, IAS, ADM , Thane and members from DISH and FICCI.

Overall the mock exercise was successful and was able to inculcate confidence in the neighboring community. It was also a unique learning experience for the CIDM participants who were mainly from the areas of industrial safety and health. A very positive feedback was received and a lot of fervor was seen amongst the many delegates towards disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

newKerala.com | Jun 02, 2017

National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM) organized

The three day conference witnessed participation of over 400 industry delegates from over 20 states. The main focus of the conference was to make industry globally safe by better emergency planning of accidents - onsite, offsite including isolated storage and special emphasis on chemical emissions. The conference would also provide a platform to companies to share their success stories, best practices and technologies to minimize accidents on production site and during transportation of Chemicals, Hazardous /Toxic Substances, Petroleum Products and Gases either through Pipelines or POL tankers.

Shri Subhash Rajaram Desai, Hon'ble Minister, Industries and Mining; Government of Maharashtra in his Keynote address expressed "India is developing as a key global player in the industrial and technology sector. Rapid industrialization has increased the hazard, risk and vulnerability to the industry and the environment.

Shri Chandrakant (Dada) Bachchu Patil, Hon'ble Minister Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Public Works (excluding Public Undertakings); Government of Maharashtra accolade the conference in his Inaugural speech and also provided a prospective roadmap for the Chemical Industrial Disaster Management mitigation said "This conference will also attempt to redefine modalities of corporate participation in disaster management activities from the present involvement in post disaster management to more focused prevention, preparedness and mitigation so as to be a part of paradigm shift in approach to disaster management."

Lt. Gen (Dr). J R Bhardwaj; PVSM AVSM VSM PHS (Retd.) Hon'ble Chairman , CIDM Forum thanked Government of Maharashtra and Gujarat, all sponsors and supporters of the conference viz. globally accredited international agencies, NDMA, PNGRB, CIFs and all other institutions, knowledge partners, IITs and faculties, Universities, industries and industry associations who have sent eminent faculties and delegates for their participation in making this epoch event a grand success. He also thanked all the sponsors namely Government of Maharshtra, Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, Gujarat State Petronet Ltd., GAIL (India) Ltd., Mahanagar Gas, Hindustan Petroleum(HPCL) and Indian Oil (IOCL) for their vehement support and sponsorship. He concluded by stating that this conference will provide a platform for exchange of information, best management practices and technical know-how to the entire industry fraternity for disaster risk reduction.

The simulated scenario was initiated for an "onsite" emergency subsequently escalating to an "offsite" emergency calling for external responders. The unit has got adequate safety systems and the detailed 'onsite' plan for mitigation of any type of emergency/disaster. The casualties declared during the mock exercise were sent to designated government/private hospitals after TRIAGE in OHC of the unit. The response of MARG members was appreciable and the first responders were quick to rise to the occasion. The traffic was managed well without causing inconvenience to the public along the main Sion - Panvel highway.

The mock was witnessed by Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA, State and District official Ms. Vandana Suryavanshi, IAS, ADM , Thane and members from DISH and FICCI.

India Live Today | Jun 02, 2017

National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM) organized

The mock was witnessed by Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA, State and District official Ms. Vandana Suryavanshi, IAS, ADM , Thane and members from DISH and FICCI.

Outlook | Jun 02, 2017

National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM) organized

The three day conference witnessed participation of over 400 industry delegates from over 20 states. The main focus of the conference was to make industry globally safe by better emergency planning of accidents - onsite, offsite including isolated storage and special emphasis on chemical emissions. The conference would also provide a platform to companies to share their success stories, best practices and technologies to minimize accidents on production site and during transportation of Chemicals, Hazardous /Toxic Substances, Petroleum Products and Gases either through Pipelines or POL tankers.

Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA stressed on regulatory regime in country and corporations should derive mileage of this so as to manage disasters efficiently with the involvement of the government machinery.

As a part of the CIDM (Conference on Industrial Disaster Management) organized by FICCI and the State Government of Maharashtra on May 30, 31, 2017 in Mumbai a mock exercise was conducted on June 1, 2017 at M/S.Si Group India Pvt. Limited, Navi Mumbai, producing petrochemical products. All the participants of CIDM from 11 states, Disaster Management Division of State, DISH, Thane District Authorities, Marg members and other first responders like Police, Fire & Emergency Response Services (FERS), medical services, NMMC, PRO and others, besides the industry responders participated in the exercise.

The mock was witnessed by Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA, State and District official Ms. Vandana Suryavanshi, IAS, ADM , Thane and members from DISH and FICCI.

DNA | Jun 02, 2017

National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management

The three day conference witnessed participation of over 400 industry delegates from over 20 states. The main focus of the conference was to make industry globally safe by better emergency planning of accidents - onsite, offsite including isolated storage and special emphasis on chemical emissions. The conference would also provide a platform to companies to share their success stories, best practices and technologies to minimize accidents on production site and during transportation of Chemicals, Hazardous /Toxic Substances, Petroleum Products and Gases either through Pipelines or POL tankers.

As a part of the CIDM (Conference on Industrial Disaster Management) organized by FICCI and the State Government of Maharashtra on May 30, 31, 2017 in Mumbai a mock exercise was conducted on June 1, 2017 at M/S.Si Group India Pvt. Limited, Navi Mumbai, producing petrochemical products. All the participants of CIDM from 11 states, Disaster Management Division of State, DISH, Thane District Authorities, Marg members and other first responders like Police, Fire & Emergency Response Services (FERS), medical services, NMMC, PRO and others, besides the industry responders participated in the exercise.

The mock was witnessed by Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA, State and District official Ms. Vandana Suryavanshi, IAS, ADM , Thane and members from DISH and FICCI.

Business Standard | Jun 02, 2017

National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM) organized

The three day conference witnessed participation of over 400 industry delegates from over 20 states. The main focus of the conference was to make industry globally safe by better emergency planning of accidents - onsite, offsite including isolated storage and special emphasis on chemical emissions. The conference would also provide a platform to companies to share their success stories, best practices and technologies to minimize accidents on production site and during transportation of Chemicals, Hazardous /Toxic Substances, Petroleum Products and Gases either through Pipelines or POL tankers.

The simulated scenario was initiated for an "onsite" emergency subsequently escalating to an "offsite" emergency calling for external responders. The unit has got adequate safety systems and the detailed 'onsite' plan for mitigation of any type of emergency/ disaster. The casualties declared during the mock exercise were sent to designated government/private hospitals after TRIAGE in OHC of the unit. The response of MARG members was appreciable and the first responders were quick to rise to the occasion. The traffic was managed well without causing inconvenience to the public along the main Sion - Panvel highway.

The mock was witnessed by Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA, State and District official Ms. Vandana Suryavanshi, IAS, ADM , Thane and members from DISH and FICCI.

One News Page | Nov 03, 2016

FICCI and UNISDR Conduct the "First Private Sector Conference: GLOBAL UNITED FUND Business Investment Opportunities"

A special conference was held to focus on the setting up of a GLOBAL UNITED FUND, the world’s first $100 Million Fund to bring Government and Private Sector together for Business Sustainability through Disaster Risk Reduction.To build up capacity of the nation in Disaster Management a strategic alliance was formed between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and National Institute of Disaster Management in September 2004.

The approach of disaster management earlier was reactive and relief centric. India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions.

Since then three National Level Workshops have been conducted at New Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai and an International Conference on “Spatial Data Infrastructure and its Role in Disaster Management” was held in Chennai.

FICCI Secretary General A Didar Singh said: “The need of the hour is to increase private sector involvement in the disaster risk management. Organized by FICCI, along with UNISDR, ARISE and NIDM, the first Private Sector conference being held on sidelines of AMCDRR conference with focus on private sector involvement sets out to create a concrete roadmap for implementing resilience-building measures through innovative innovations support by creation of a Global United Fund.”

Harkesh Kumar Mittal, Adviser, Member Secretary, National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), said the Government does not know how to do business, academia does not know how to do business, it only the industries which know how to do business. So, their involvement is required as disaster creates opportunities in the fooding, shelter and construction and rescue area.

JesperElsgaard, Senior Director, Global Governmental Affairs at Bavarian Nordic A/S Copenhagen Area, Capital Region, Denmark Government, spoke of the need for a wider international involvement to share expertise and participate in fund raising to address major disasters as and when they strike.

Sandra Wu Wen-Hsui, Chairperson and CEO, Kokusai Kogyo, Japan shared Japan’s experience of dealing with earthquakes and quick restoration afterwards. Japan is extremely proficient in tackling quakes and the damage they leave in their wake.

The aim of these type of workshops has been to spread general awareness and build up the capacity of the various stake holders in mitigation of disasters. The participants included not only the captains of the Corporate Sector but also from Government, Non-Government research institutions and students of colleges/universities.

In the decade 1990-2000, an average of about 4344 people lost their lives and about 30 million people were affected by disasters every year. The loss in terms of private, community and public assets has been astronomical.

The Super cyclone in Orissa in October, 1999 and the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat in January, 2001 underscored the need to adopt a multi dimensional endeavor involving scientific, engineering, financial and social processes; the need to adopt multi disciplinary and multi sectoral approach and incorporation of risk reduction in the developmental plans and strategies.

Dr Robert Muir-Wood, Chief Research Officer, RMS said, “India has the highest number of people exposed to flood risk of any country worldwide, and the fastest increase in flood risk from development and climate change. More than half of India by area is vulnerable to earthquakes, and almost forty cities are at particularly high risk. The rapid expansion in population and development in India is moving too fast to ensure adequate standards of protection. The widespread damage from earthquake to ordinary buildings recently seen in neighbouring Nepal, could equally be the outcome in many cities in India.”

Sr Director FICCI, Nirankar Saxena said, “September 2004 was a landmark for Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, when it formed a strategic alliance with National Institute of Disaster Management to build up capacity of the nation in Disaster Management. Since then three National Level Workshops have been conducted at New Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai . The aim of these events has been to spread general awareness and build up the capacity of the various stake holders in mitigation of disasters.”The speakers for the conferences were well reputed in their respective fields. The program was received well and a record number of 750 - 800 participants attended.

News Now | Nov 03, 2016

FICCI and UNISDR Conduct the "First Private Sector Conference: GLOBAL UNITED FUND Business Investment Opportunities"

To build up capacity of the nation in Disaster Management a strategic alliance was formed between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and National Institute of Disaster Management in September 2004.

The approach of disaster management earlier was reactive and relief centric. India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions.

Asian Age | Jul 11, 2015

Structural engineers may be included in the process

To ensure safety of the buildings in the national capital, a majority of which are ill-equipped to withstand a major earthquake, the Delhi government is planning to involve structural engineers in the process of building-plan approval. According to government records, 31 lakh units in Delhi are at medium risk of being affected by an earthquake.

“This status sounds very scary, but the question is what can be done about this. Since 7-8 years, a decision was taken to retrofit some key buildings in Delhi so in an event like earthquake these buildings can be used for housing government offices and key operations. As of now only 2-3 buildings can be retrofitted. It is complex to retrofit an existing building, but structural engineers know that it can still be done,” chief secretary K.K. Sharma said at a joint conference on Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in India, organised by the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). According to officials, many of the buildings that have come up in the government sector are unsafe from the current standards of preparedness.

Thousands of three-four-storey buildings in unauthorised colonies, where a large number of people are living, are prone to damage in earthquakes. Mr Sharma said the Delhi government is planning to incorporate role of structural engineers in getting building plans approved.

“I think we need to bring in structural engineers and they must also verify and sign building plans along with the architect at the time of getting permission from the municipal corporation,” he said.

Certification by structural engineers is being done in a few states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. “We have got a copy of notification from UP and we have spoken to organisations of structural engineers to guide the Delhi government as to how to interface standard operating procedure that all new buildings are certified by structural engineers. If we can have 1,000-1,500 structural engineers in Delhi to certify buildings, then we could have self-certification schemes on the part of people living in unauthorised colonies to encourage people to get their buildings audited,” Mr Sharma said, emphasising that as the process is expensive, the government can keep fees nominal. This can be as low as Rs 11,000-1,500. Engineers can prescribe minimum interventions to keep the building safe.

Taking about the need of having safe buildings, P.K. Mishra, additional principal secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, said, “We have learnt many lessons during the last few years, but we have not been able to ensure safety of buildings. In context of earthquakes, it does not kill people but a building collapse kills people. We have the best building code, but how to enforce that. Till ten years ago, the building code was not mandatory. But then there are many challenges like training of engineers and capacity building of supervisors. There are very few structural engineers who can prepare earthquake or disaster-resistant structures.”

He said that it is very difficult to sustain lessons of disaster. “Earthquake has a long return period. If there is an earthquake in an area, it might again occur in some years and that makes the problem much more difficult. People forget the lessons learnt during the earthquake and start following old practices. So preparing for earthquakes becomes much more of a challenge not only because it is uncertain and unpredictable but because return period is very long,” Mr Mishra said.

The Tribune | Jul 11, 2015

Govt to rope in structural engineers

The government is planning to involve structural engineers to ensure safety as a large number of buildings in the city are not equipped well to withstand natural disasters.

According to the government records, there are 31 lakh units which are at medium risk of being affected by an earthquake.

Speaking at a joint conference on "Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in India" by the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Chief Secretary K. K. Sharma said a decision was taken about seven years ago to retrofit some key buildings in Delhi so that during a natural calamity, they could be used to house government offices. However, only a couple of buildings have been retrofitted so far. Retrofitting is a complex job, but the structural engineers know that it can still be done, he said.

The Chief Secretary said thousands of three to four storeyed buildings in unauthorised colonies are unsafe. Having seen the gravity of the situation, the Delhi Government is planning to incorporate the role of structural engineer in getting the building plans approved.

"I think we need to bring in structural engineers and they must also verify and sign building plans along with the architect at the time of getting permission from the Municipal Corporation," he said.

Certification of structural engineers is being done by a few states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

"We have got a copy of notification from UP and we have spoken to organisations of structural engineers to guide the Delhi Government in the matter," Sharma said.

The Pioneer | Jul 11, 2015

Govt to rope in structural engineers for quake-proof building plans: CS

With majority of buildings in Delhi ill-equipped to withstand a major earthquake, the City Government is planning to involve structural engineers in the process of building-plan approval to ensure safety of structures.

According to Government records, there are 31 lakh units in Delhi which are at medium risk of being affected by an earthquake. “This status sounds very scary, but the question is what can be done about this. About eight years ago, a decision was taken to retrofit some key buildings in Delhi so in an event like earthquake these buildings can be used for housing Government offices and key operations.

“As of now only 2-3 buildings can be retrofitted. It is complex to retrofit an existing building, but structural engineers know that it can still be done,” KK Sharma, Chief Secretary of Delhi Government, said. Sharma was speaking at a joint conference on “Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in India” by the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).

According to officials, many of the buildings that have come up in Government sector are unsafe from the current standards of preparedness.

Thousands of three/four-storeyed buildings in unauthorised colonies where a large number of people are living are prone to earthquake.

Sharma said the Delhi Government is planning to incorporate expertise of structural engineers in getting building plans approved. “I think we need to bring in structural engineers and they must also verify and clear building plans along with the architect at the time of getting permission from Municipal Corporation,” he said.

Certification of structural engineers is being done by few States like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. “We have got a copy of notification from UP and we have spoken to organisations of structural engineers to guide Delhi Government as to how to interface standard operating procedure that all new buildings are certified by structural engineers.

“If we can have 1,000-1,500 structural engineers in Delhi to certify building, then we could have self certification schemes on the part of people living in unauthorised colonies to encourage people to get their building audited,” Sharma said.

millenniumpost | Jul 11, 2015

Govt mulls roping in structural engineers to clear building plans

With majority of buildings ill-equipped to withstand a major earthquake in the national Capital, the Delhi government is planning to involve structural engineers in the process of building plan approval.

According to government records, there are 31 lakh units in Delhi, which are at medium risk of being affected by an earthquake. "This status sounds very scary, but the question is what can be done about this. Since 7-8 years, a decision was taken to retrofit some key buildings in Delhi. So in case of a disaster like earthquake, these buildings can be used for housing government offices and key operations,” said KK Sharma, Chief Secretary, Delhi government.

He added: "As of now, only 2-3 buildings can be retrofitted. It is complex to retrofit an existing building, but structural engineers know that it can still be done."

Sharma was speaking at a joint conference on ‘Earthquake Disaster Mitigation in India’ organised by the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).

According to officials, many buildings that house government offices are unsafe. Thousands of three-four storey buildings in unauthorised colonies, housing lakhs of people, are prone to earthquake.

Sharma said the government is planning to rope in structural engineers to get building plans approved. "I think we need to bring in structural engineers and they, along with the architect, must also verify and sign building plans at the time of getting permission from Municipal Corporations," he said.

Certification of structural engineers is being done by a few states such as UP and Haryana. "We have got a copy of notification from UP and have spoken to organisations of structural engineers to guide the government as to how to interface standard operating procedure that all new buildings are certified by structural engineers. If we can have 1,000-1,500 structural engineers to certify buildings, we can have self-certification schemes on the part of people living in unauthorised colonies and

encourage them to get their buildings audited," Sharma said.

Sharma emphasised that as the process is expensive but government can keep its fee nominal.

The Economic Times | Dec 15, 2014

Disaster management agencies need to step up: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju

India's response to disasters is not "adequate" and multiple agencies involved in this task need to step up their preparedness to a level ensuring that no person dies of human error, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said.

"I realise not enough has been done whether at the government level or private agency level (in disaster management). The response is not adequate that is what I feel. We really need to understand that the pace at which we are responding to a challenge, we are lacking behind in it.

"The disaster is catching fast and our response is getting late. We need to really act fast enough," Rijiju, who is in-charge of the disaster management as the Minister of State for Home, here said.

He said the recent disasters that have occurred in the country show that there are many things "wanting" in this domain and both state governments and central agencies need to "speed up the response time" during such disasters.

Rijiju said during the initial period of the recent and most-devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir, he felt as if he was "helpless".

The minister was speaking at a regional workshop of SAARC countries hosted by industry body FICCI.

"The floods in Jammu and Kashmir...It was something I could not really accept that it could happen and initial period was something like you are helpless. You are unable to respond to the disaster.

"The chief minister of J&K said everything was standstill, the state government does not know where to react and where to respond from. That means the whole system was in a paralysis state. But fortunately, government of India responded positively on time and you all have seen our Prime Minister ( Narendra Modi) has responded and taken things in his own stride and the entire agencies (under) Home Ministry were on the ground.

"We responded to the challenge effectively and brought back the life to normalcy. I am very happy that we could do that but if we could have prevented that, if we could have given a forecast...If people were taken to a safer place much earlier it would have reduced loss of life and properties. We would have been much more satisfied. There are many things wanting...," he said.

Talking about the devastation wreaked by cyclone 'Hudhud' in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, the minister said he was happy that they could "reduce the loss of lives" but added that lives were still lost and property loss was more than Rs 700 crore.

He said he had the same feeling of disaster mitigation drills not being up to the mark when he saw people feeling "helpless" during floods in Assam and Meghalaya early this year.

"When the recent floods occurred in Assam and Meghalaya they (government agencies) were caught unprepared. When I reached there for aerial view...I could see still people were so helpless. The level of preparedness is never enough we really need to rise the level of our preparedness. The response was not quick enough...I asked a village women did you get relief on time...the response was that we got help very late, the officials came late, the rescue teams came very very late.

"The support system from district administration was found to be wanting and I asked the local DC there why did you not reach on time? He said 'equipments were not there right on the spot. They had to manage from Guwahati and elsewhere'.

Rijiju said even the teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were not enough, so Central government had to bring additional platoons from Odisha and Bihar.

"We need to make things much more coordinated. The things, even if we are prepared, we should be able to use it on time. Even if we have equipments ready, it doesn't help if the equipments does not reach on time. If the NDRF teams are ready and if they cannot rescue on time what is the point of having adequate training and equipment?

"Responding quickly at that point of time is so crucial. That is why we need to go beyond rescue and if we can mitigate, if we can really take preparedness level to such a level that if it was god's wish to destroy everything then we can't help it, but otherwise because of man-made error nobody should die nor nobody should face the disaster. To that level I think we have to rise our capability," he said.

DNA | Dec 15, 2014

Disaster mgmt agencies need to speed up response time, says Union Minister Kiren Rijiju

"I realise not enough has been done whether at the government level or private agency level (in disaster management). The response is not adequate that is what I feel.
We really need to understand that the pace at which we are responding to a challenge, we are lacking behind in it.

"The disaster is catching fast and our response is getting late. We need to really act fast enough," Rijiju, who is in-charge of the disaster management as the Minister of State for Home, here said.

Rijiju said during the initial period of the recent and most-devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir, he felt as if he was "helpless". The minister was speaking at a regional workshop of SAARC countries hosted by industry body FICCI.

"The floods in Jammu and Kashmir...It was something I could not really accept that it could happen and initial period was something like you are helpless. You are unable to respond to the disaster.

"The chief minister of J&K said everything was standstill, the state government does not know where to react and where to respond from. That means the whole system was in a paralysis state. But fortunately, government of India responded positively on time and you all have seen our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has responded and taken things in his own stride and the entire agencies (under) Home Ministry were on the ground.

The New Indian Express | Oct 04, 2013

WB project to benefit 150 TN coastal villages

The State Government will be implementing the World Bank-backed Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Tamil Nadu this year, said T S Sridhar, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration (Disaster Management and Mitigation).

Delivering the guest of honour address during the 3rd International Search and Rescue Conference organised by the State Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and National Maritime Foundation here on Thursday, Sridhar said the coastal villages would benefit from the risk mitigation infrastructure to be created through the project. The World Bank had stated about 150 villages and over 17,000 families would benefit from the construction of permanent multi-hazard resilient houses.

The project worth $236 million was approved by the World Bank recently to increase the resilience of coastal communities to a range of hazards by enhancing mitigation measures along coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in India, Sridhar said.

A statement from the World Bank had said that the coastal population and its economic assets in the State were prone to multiple hazards, including high frequency and high intensity cyclones, threat of rising sea levels, storm surges, coastal floods, degradation of mangroves and shelterbelts and severe depletion of ground water resources.

The project would also build evacuation infrastructure, including shelters, access roads and early warning systems. Disaster management curriculums for schools and training institutions would help benefit a large community of school children and trainees.

In order to strengthen livelihood of those dependent on fishing, the project would help upgrade its infrastructure, develop an approach for co-management of fisheries and address issues related to safety at sea.

The project would also help build the capacity of government institutions, civil society organizations and vulnerable communities to deal with disaster risks.

Community-based disaster risk management approach would be used to empower communities and increase their resilience to natural hazards.

Construction of about 14,400 multi-hazard resilient permanent houses, which started under the previous Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project across 11 coastal districts in Tamil Nadu, would be completed under this project.

About 120 multipurpose evacuation shelters would be constructed and 440 early warning systems would be installed along with evacuation routes with signages.

In addition, about 1,000 km of overhead electrical network would be replaced with underground cables to minimise the damages from cyclones and floods.

The project would be financed by credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm, which provides interest-free loans with 25 years of maturity and a grace period of five years.

Guardian | Sep 13, 2013

State yet to have disaster response force

With the north- eastern region considered to be having ‘very high vulnerability’ to disaster, the National Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA) today asked Meghalaya government to constitute its own State Disaster Response Force ( SDRF) to make effective the ‘preparedness’ and ‘responsive’ mechanism in the region.

“We have earlier submitted our proposal to the Meghalaya government to have an SDRF in place considering the vulnerability of the region. We are still waiting for the State Government to reply to this,” NDMA member KM Singh said during a conference on ‘ Safe Management of Chemical, Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries’ here.

Of eight north- eastern states, Meghalaya and Manipur are yet to have their own SDRF. Besides, for the entire region, there is only one National Disaster Response Force ( NDRF) battalion stationed in Guwahati. NDRF personnel are trained and equipped as per international standard.

“The states in the region have to remain prepared to deal with emergency and for that they have to have SDRF in place,” he said.

The Centre recently sanctioned one more battalion of NDRF for Assam. It will come up either in Upper Assam or Silchar, based on availability of land, within a year, the NDMA member said.

“We have also proposed to have one company in Meghalaya,” he said.

The NDMA, which considers activities of petroleum industries in the north- eastern region as hazardous, also observed that natural disasters such as cyclone, floods, landslide, rain, earthquake etc., can trigger chemical incidences with cascading impacts.

“To minimise this chemical, petrochemical, petroleum and natural gas related entities there is a need to retrofit additional measures to take care of vulnerable areas for protection and strengthening,” Singh said.

The country had recorded 1,861 major hazardous accidents in 26 states and only 15 states have so far set up their respective statededicated forces meant for immediate response to disaster.

Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said the state government would soon set up its SDRF as mandated by the NDMA. “You reminded me that we need to move faster and ensure that it is put in place at the earliest,” he said, while apologising for the delay.

Stating that Meghalaya does not have a regulatory board to cover different industries, he, said there is a need to collaborate with NDMA to ensure that all these policies are incorporated.

The two- day conference is being organised by the NDMA in collaboration with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGR), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The Shillong Times | Sep 13, 2013

Conference in city on management of petro industries

A conference on ‘Safe Management of Chemical, Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries’ was organized in the city on Thursday which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sharma.

The Programme was organized by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), along with Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the State Government.

The Chief Minister assured that the State Government will be working in tandem with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Battalion, a task force which is equipped and trained to combat all natural and man-made disasters.

The objective of the programme was to educate and train the industry, chemical business and offsite responders like police, medicos, fire services, home guards and other involved in this field.

Dr Sangma also remarked that while issuing a sanction or clearance for construction of any buildings and designs, the authority should take utmost consideration to include required parameters for safeguarding the lives of people and special technical preparedness for any king of disaster since the North East is situated in ‘Seismic Zone V’.

Dr Sangma sought for focus on the capability to respond promptly during disasters and to inculcate a culture of preparedness among all stakeholders. He further highlighted the importance of sensitizing the people in order to prevent loss of lives in calamities which frequently hits the region and be competent and capable of disaster management preparedness.

National Disaster management Authority has also prepared comprehensive guidelines on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management released in 2007, which has become the baseline for minimizing chemical incidences in the country.

Others who spoke included Ameishing Luikham, Secretary, NEC, S Krishnan, Chairman , Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board, KM Singh, Member, NDMA, Dr Arbind Prasad, Director General, FICCI and Lt. Gen. JR Bhardwaj, Chairman, CIDM and former member, NDMA.

Eastern Chronicle | Sep 13, 2013

M'laya yet to constitute SDRF, CM apologises for delay

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has directed Meghalaya to constitute the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

“We have earlier submitted our proposal to the Meghalaya Government to have a SDRF in place in the state considering the vulnerability of the region. We are still waiting for the State Government to reply to this,” NDMA member KM Singh said while addressing a conference on safe management of chemical petroleum and petrochemical industries.

Singh informed that in the north eastern region, Meghalaya and Manipur are yet to constitute a dedicated force meant for immediate response to disaster and also involve in community capacity building and creating awareness on the need to observe and follow safety guidelines.

NE region considered as a region having high vulnerability to disaster, Singh said,” The north eastern states have to put in place a disaster response mechanism to deal with emergencies.”

The NDMA member informed that the Centre has sanctioned the setting up of yet another battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the North East, preferably in Upper Assam.

A battalion of the NDRF in Guwahati is the only one looking after for the whole region, he said adding that one more battalion is likely to be set up in Upper Assam or Silchar wherever land is given.

Business Standard | Sep 09, 2013

FICCI constitutes task force to rebuild Uttarakhand

Industry body FICCI on Monday said it has constituted a task force aiming to rehabilitate flood-ravaged Uttarakhand by building affordable houses, imparting skill training to the state's youth and providing clean drinking water.

The districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand have been battered by heavy rains and flash floods, causing huge losses to property, livestock and farm land.

"FICCI has constituted a Task Force for Uttarakhand Disaster Rehabilitation chaired by Sudha Pillai, Former Member Secretary, Planning Commission," a release said.

Under the initiative, FICCI is helping build 100 temporary housing units and 200 permanent houses. Construction of 100 houses has already begun in areas identified jointly with the state government, it said.

The business chamber also proposes to train 5,000 youth across the state in partnership with ILO (International Labour Organisation), L&T as well as other vocational training providers.

Besides, FICCI along with the Ministry of Rural Development is also exploring Ajeevika Skills Development Programme for skills training of youth.

Moreover, the chamber will also assist in creation of Uttarakhand Disaster Management Portal with cloud sourcing capabilities.

This is an in-kind contribution of NIIT-GIS Ltd (Esri India) for the benefit of stakeholders and will be available in the public domain, it said.

The Economic Times | Sep 09, 2013

FICCI constitutes task force to rebuild Uttarakhand

Industry body FICCI today said it has constituted a task force aiming to rehabilitate flood-ravaged Uttarakhand by building affordable houses, imparting skill training to the state's youth and providing clean drinking water.

The districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand have been battered by heavy rains and flash floods, causing huge losses to property, livestock and farm land.

"FICCI has constituted a Task Force for Uttarakhand Disaster Rehabilitation chaired by Sudha Pillai, Former Member Secretary, Planning Commission," a release said.

The business chamber also proposes to train 5,000 youth across the state in partnership with ILO ( International Labour Organisation), L&T as well as other vocational training providers.

Besides, FICCI along with the Ministry of Rural Development is also exploring Ajeevika Skills Development Programme for skills training of youth.

Moreover, the chamber will also assist in creation of Uttarakhand Disaster Management Portal with cloud sourcing capabilities. This is an in-kind contribution of NIIT-GIS Ltd ( Esri India) for the benefit of stakeholders and will be available in the public domain, it said.

Zee News | Sep 09, 2013

FICCI constitutes task force to rebuild Uttarakhand

The districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand have been battered by heavy rains and flash floods, causing huge losses to property, livestock and farm land.

"FICCI has constituted a Task Force for Uttarakhand Disaster Rehabilitation chaired by Sudha Pillai, Former Member Secretary, Planning Commission," a release said.

The business chamber also proposes to train 5,000 youth across the state in partnership with ILO (International Labour Organisation), L&T as well as other vocational training providers.

Besides, FICCI along with the Ministry of Rural Development is also exploring Ajeevika Skills Development Programme for skills training of youth.

Moreover, the chamber will also assist in creation of Uttarakhand Disaster Management Portal with cloud sourcing capabilities. This is an in-kind contribution of NIIT-GIS Ltd (Esri India) for the benefit of stakeholders and will be available in the public domain, it said.

First Post | Sep 09, 2013

FICCI constitutes task force to rebuild Uttarakhand

The districts of Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand have been battered by heavy rains and flash floods, causing huge losses to property, livestock and farm land.

“FICCI has constituted a Task Force for Uttarakhand Disaster Rehabilitation chaired by Sudha Pillai, Former Member Secretary, Planning Commission,” a release said.

The business chamber also proposes to train 5,000 youth across the state in partnership with ILO (International Labour Organisation), L&T as well as other vocational training providers.

Besides, FICCI along with the Ministry of Rural Development is also exploring Ajeevika Skills Development Programme for skills training of youth.

Moreover, the chamber will also assist in creation of Uttarakhand Disaster Management Portal with cloud sourcing capabilities. This is an in-kind contribution of NIIT-GIS Ltd (Esri India) for the benefit of stakeholders and will be available in the public domain, it said.

Business Standard | Aug 27, 2013

Rs 120 crore compensation distributed in U'khand: CM

Compensation of Rs 120 crore has been distributed to those affected by floods in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today.

A meeting of District Magistrates of affected areas had been convened on August 29 to discuss identification of land to rehabilitate devastated villages, Bahuguna told reporters here.

'The opinion of the Geological Survey of India will be taken into consideration in rehabilitating devastated villages and once they are rehabilitated, their names will be suffixed with 'Naveen' which means new,' he said.

The amount of Rs 2,000 to be given as rent per month to people rendered homeless by the crisis till the time they get a permanent accommodation of their own has been revised to Rs 3,000, he said. The period for payment has also been extended from six months to one year, he said.

About 300 villages were affected by the calamity, he said, adding that the government had sought a list of people whose houses had been damaged completely in the tragedy.

Bahuguna said Border Roads Organisation and other departments like PWD were doing their job properly, but their operations had not gathered speed due to inclement weather.

However, the state government's priority was to repair and rebuild the roads at the earliest, he said, adding that the mule tracks have been restored which is of great help to people in affected villages.

The state government had earlier set September 30 as the deadline for repairing damaged roads.

He said the biggest challenge before the government was to rehabilitate villages which suffered massive destruction in the calamity and to impart vocational training to youths belonging to families which lost everything they had in the wake of the disaster.

The Union Labour Ministry, FICCI and several other organisations have agreed in principle to provide vocational training to youths in affected areas.

The Economic Times | Aug 27, 2013

Rs 120 crore compensation distributed in Uttarakhand: Vijay Bahuguna

Compensation of Rs 120 crore has been distributed to those affected by floods in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today.

A meeting of District Magistrates of affected areas had been convened on August 29 to discuss identification of land to rehabilitate devastated villages, Bahuguna told reporters here.

"The opinion of the Geological Survey of India will be taken into consideration in rehabilitating devastated villages and once they are rehabilitated, their names will be suffixed with 'Naveen' which means new," he said.

About 300 villages were affected by the calamity, he said, adding that the government had sought a list of people whose houses had been damaged completely in the tragedy.

Bahuguna said Border Roads Organisation and other departments like PWD were doing their job properly, but their operations had not gathered speed due to inclement weather.

The state government had earlier set September 30 as the deadline for repairing damaged roads.

The Union Labour Ministry, FICCI and several other organisations have agreed in principle to provide vocational training to youths in affected areas.

The Telegraph | Jul 20, 2013

Stinginess finger at India Inc over Uttarakhand

Union minister Manish Tewari today accused corporate houses of inadequate response to the Uttarakhand tragedy but industry chambers claimed they had contributed substantially to relief and rehabilitation efforts and suggested a possible communication gap.

Tewari said that while the armed forces and other organisations performed commendably during the disaster, what struck him most was the “lack of a significant corporate response”.

“Corporate India has a very robust conscience. Corporate India also has deep pockets, so we would have hoped that the response from corporate India would have been far more robust,” PTI quoted the information and broadcasting minister as telling an industry event in New Delhi.

“There is still time. After the rescue and relief, the rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts are on and we do hope that corporate India will come forth and contribute in substantive measure keeping in view their economic muscle in India’s GDP.”

He added: “India is a $2 trillion (Rs 120 lakh crore) economy today. Seventy-five per cent of India’s GDP is in the private sector.”

A Union minister who wouldn’t be quoted later told The Telegraph that the corporate sector had together donated only about Rs 7.25 crore towards rehab and rebuilding in Uttarakhand, and that “none of the biggest names” had contributed anything significant.

“In contrast, inmates of Tihar jail have donated Rs 20 lakh,” he said.

The minister said Mahindra & Mahindra and Corporation Bank had donated Rs 1 crore each, Avinash Bhosale (who has real estate, infrastructure and hospitality businesses) had contributed Rs 2.5 crore and Vodafone had given Rs 75 lakh. A few steel and power companies had pooled some money and donated it, he added.

However, FICCI sources told this newspaper that the industry chamber’s private and public-sector members had contributed over Rs 40 crore. They named among the contributors the State Bank of India, ONGC, HSBC, Xpro India, NTPC, PowerGrid Corporation, Coal India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Finolex Cables, Pavers England, ICRA, Fair Exports and Hindustan Unilever.

FICCI Secretary-General A. Didar Singh said: “We have constituted an Uttarakhand disaster rehabilitation task force chaired by Sudha Pillai, former member secretary of the Planning Commission.”

D.S. Rawat, secretary-general of industry body Assocham, said its member organisations had contributed Rs 2 crore. He agreed with Tewari about “a need to do more” but added: “The state’s chief minister should have teamed up with corporate houses so they also knew how and where to channel (their) resources.”

Officials monitoring the Prime Minister’s relief fund for Uttarakhand said over Rs 100 crore had been received in donations but could not say how much of it had come from corporate houses.

Duncan Goenka Group chairman G.P. Goenka said he knew several people in the corporate sector who had donated “huge” amounts, but some had done it through NGOs. “They have done it quietly, and maybe not through the government or the PM Relief Fund.”

Rajeev Singh, director-general of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, questioned Tewari’s statement. “I am not sure about how the corporate houses have lagged. Who really decides what is the optimal level?” he asked.

“Most have contributed in their own way. There might be a communication gap.”

Sources said the ICICI Group had contributed Rs 15 crore and the Jaypee Group and Jindal Steel & Power Rs 5 crore each to the Uttarakhand chief minister’s relief fund.

They said Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra and real estate major Supertech had each donated Rs 1 crore to the CM’s fund, and Supertech also set up camps with food, clothing and medical facilities in Kedarnath and Badrinath.

They added that Calcutta-based Emami had offered jobs to 10 families of flood victims and tobacco and hotels major ITC participated in relief efforts.

Goenka said: “It is not that the private sector is flush with cash. Those who can, have done it. People are also apprehensive about how much of their contributions will be actually utilised for the proper cause.”

Tewari acknowledged the telecom companies’ role in restoring communication after the calamity but said the private sector could have done more. “We have so many private airlines; why hadn’t any of them even volunteered to run a single free flight to get people out of Dehradun?”

Tewari said he had heard the Chilean defence minister say that when an earthquake struck the South American country, its corporate sector had been the first to respond.

FICCI’s Singh said the chamber had proposed to “facilitate specific projects by corporate (houses), NGOs and multilateral agencies jointly with the government in… affordable housing, clean water and sanitation, skills and livelihoods, environment and geo-spatial technologies”.

The Economic Times | Jul 03, 2013

FICCI sets up task force for rehabilitation work in Uttarakhand

Industry body FICCI has set up a task force to undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the flood-ravaged state of Uttarakhand.

The task force, headed by former Member-Secretary in the Planning Commission Sudha Pillai, will carry out initiatives aimed at affordable housing, providing clean drinking water, improved sanitation and other forms of civic amenities through partnership with Science & Technology institutes and R&D centres, the industry body said in a release.

Several public sector as well as private companies have made contributions towards relief works and re-building efforts in the state of Uttarakhand, after it was ravaged by floods caused by torrential rains last month.

State-owned credit insurer Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) yesterday contributed Rs five crore towards towards relief operations in the flood-ravaged state.

Business Standard | Jul 03, 2013

FICCI sets up U'khand task force, raises Rs 40 crore for relief work

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has set up an industry task force chaired by Sudha Pillai, former member-secretary, Planning Commission to undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood-ravaged State of Uttarakhand.

FICCI has strong networks in the state and the initiatives will focus on affordable housing, provision of clean drinking water, improved sanitation and other forms of civic amenities through its active partnership with various Science & Technology institutes and R&D centres, the industry body said in a release.

It further said that member companies which include top corporates of India have contributed over Rs 40 crore for relief operations and employees contributed a day's salary for the same purpose.

Firstpost | Jul 03, 2013

Uttarakhand floods: Sudha Pillai to head FICCI task force for rehabilitation

Industry body FICCI has set up a task force to undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the flood-ravaged state of Uttarakhand.

The task force, headed by former member-secretary in the Planning Commission Sudha Pillai, will carry out initiatives aimed at affordable housing, providing clean drinking water, improved sanitation and other forms of civic amenities through partnership with science and technology institutes and R&D centres, the industry body said in a release.

State-owned credit insurer Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) on Tuesday contributed Rs 5 crore towards towards relief operations in the flood-ravaged state.

The New Indian Express | Jun 27, 2013

Cops must help in crisis management: Bedi

Social activist and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi on Wednesday blamed the bureaucracy for the lack of sustainable development in Uttarakhand, which led to floods destroying the state and killing hundreds of people.

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on sustainability organised by trade body FICCI, Bedi said, “If the Chipko movement had survived, we would not have had this disaster. God knows how many thousands have died. They are still buried under the mud. There are only movements led by people or through Public Interest Litigation in courts, while effective bureaucrats are rare.”

Bedi put the onus of development on the state bureaucracy and said that civil service was the key to progressive development. “The movement needs to spread with district administrations. They are also to blame for the destruction of environment. They have budgets, they have policy, they just need the courage to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ at the right time. Even the police must prepare for disaster management,” she said.

“The Chief Secretary of the state and the Director General of Police hold the key to the state. They can save thousands of people if they function properly. We select the best people in the country for IAS/IPS. However, they have to refuse demeaning tasks like polishing politicians’ shoes or teaching them how to sign. This is not their job.”

‘Donate Share of Profits’

Social activist Kiran Bedi on Wednesday urged the corporate India to voluntarily contribute 2 per cent of their net profits towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, which would lead to a collection of fund of at least $2 billion. Bedi was speaking at the final session of the Sustainability Conference organised by Trade Body FICCI in the city. “While there is a proposed bill mandating the 2 per cent of earned income towards CSR, there is a synergy required from the industry as well. The combined net profit from industries in India is Rs 4,37,167 crore per year,” she said.

Citing examples of similar laws enacted in countries like Denmark, Holland, Indonesia and the USA, Bedi said that the idea of philanthropy was not new to a country like India. “While the likes of Tatas and Premjis have been donating all these years, each of us have also been invisible donors as we contribute money to temples. Hence, this is a good opportunity for industries to become visible donors,” Bedi said.

Discussing the ongoing rescue efforts in Uttarakhand, Bedi said that the National Disaster Management Authority had not met properly in many years. “Developmental ideas are safer in the hands of industry and communities, instead of the Prime Minister’s Office. We must take the lead and not wait for the government’s help,” she added.

Disaster Management

Team Leader

Akhil Gupta

Timeline

Conference and Mock Drill on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Disaster Risk

Jul 20, 2023

UNDRR ARISE Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023

Sep 12, 2023

Mar, 2023

3rd Session of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

Feb, 2023

Conference on Industrial Disaster Risk Management & FICCI - GIZ Awards

Nov, 2022

Meeting with Delegation from United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Conference on Industrial Disaster Risk Management: Focus on Identifying System & Seismic Risks, Pipeline Security and Resilience of Critical Infrastructure

May, 2022

Dialogue on Role of Innovations in DRR - Building Resilience in New Normal & SARTHI Awards

Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction(GP) 2022

Feb, 2022

Launch of Strengthening and Amplifying Resilience Through Innovation 'SARTHI Initiative': Building Resilience in the New Normal

E-Conference on Safety Precautions and Safe Functioning After COVID

E-Conference on Safety Precautions and Safe Functioning After COVID

Jan, 2022

Building Resilience in Infrastructure and Establishments: Focus on Minimizing Economic Losses Due to Natural Hazards

Nov, 2021

Webinar on Cyber Risk Mitigation and Disaster Management

May, 2021

Webinar on 'Earthquake and Fire Safety in Industrial Establishments'

COVID-19 Second Wave and Logistic Supply Chain Management

Jan, 2021

eConclave on Fostering Cyclone Resilience in Industries, Infrastructure and Communities

Dec, 2020

Webinar on Chemical Industrial Disaster Management: Public Liability Insurance Act

Nov, 2020

Online Training Programme on Industrial Safety : Planning and Management

Oct, 2020

eConclave on Fostering Earthquake Resilience in Industries and Developments

Jul, 2020

Webinar on Zero Incidence and Preventive Culture in the Industry

Webinar on Maintenance Measures for Industrial Safety

Role of Innovation/Technology in Industrial Safety & DRR - Part II

Jun, 2020

Role of Innovation/Technology in Industrial Safety & DRR

Webinar on Safe Storage and Handling of Hazardous Chemicals in the Industry

Webinar on Psycho-Social Care and Mental Health in Industry Post Lockdown

May, 2020

Webinar on Bridging The Information Gap - How Can We Truly Democratise Access To Information

Webinar on Industrial Safety: Coping with the New Normal

Re-opening of Industries: Post Lockdown Orientation towards Industrial Safety

Impact of coronavirus on MSMEs and Business Continuity in India

Feb, 2020

First Round table Meeting on Drought

National Conference on Recent Trends in Environment Pollution and Disaster Risk Reduction

Dec, 2019

35th Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction & Industrial Safety: Major Initiatives in North-East towards Disaster Resilience

Jul, 2019

CIDM 2.0 : Conference on Industrial Safety & Emergency Preparednes

May, 2019

Global Platform For Disaster Risk Reduction

Mar, 2019

India Japan Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction : Launch of ARISE India

Feb, 2019

4th World Congress on Disaster Management

Sep, 2018

FICCI at UNISDR ARISE Global Board Meeting 2018

Jun, 2018

Conference on Industrial Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Gen N C Vij, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM and Former Chief of the Army Staff, takes over as Chairman of UNISDR Arise FICCI board for disaster risk reduction in private sector

Mar, 2018

Conference on Chemical & Industrial Disaster Management

Jan, 2018

Board Meeting of UN-Private Sector Initiative on Disaster Risk Reduction-Arise FICCI

Oct, 2017

Conference on Chemical & Industrial Disaster Management

May, 2017

National Conference on Chemical & Industrial Disaster Management

Nov, 2016

Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM): Disaster Risk Reduction Measures in Chemical, Steel & Metallurgical, Fertilizer, Pharmaceutical, Petrochemical, Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries

Global United Fund Business Investment Opportunities

Oct, 2016