Jharkhand health minister Banna Gupta and officials discuss heatwave issues, urge for clear guidelines and increased disaster aid in a video conference with Union Health Minister.
RANCHI – Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya held a video conference recently to discuss the ongoing heatwave crisis in Jharkhand.
Mr. Banna Gupta, the Health Minister of Jharkhand, was present, alongside key officials from the Disaster Management and Health Department.
During the conference, Minister Gupta urged the Union Health Minister to classify heatwaves as a national disaster and to establish clear criteria for determining deaths due to heat or cold waves.
A request was made to the Central Government for distinct guidelines regarding the nature of wildfires, whether they are natural or human-induced.
For previously declared drought conditions, the Jharkhand Government sought a compensation sum of Rs 9600 crore from the Central Government, as per regulatory norms.
Minister Gupta also advocated for the inclusion of thunderstorms in the national disaster category and for the approval of ‘Aapda Mitra’ in every district.
In addition, the state’s disaster management officials requested an increase in the timeframe for the release of the state’s disaster relief share from the earlier stipulated 15 days to 60 days.
