ROLE OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT - Gujarat

Webinar onROLE OF PANCHAYATI RAJINSTITUTIONS INDISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT27-Aug-2020, 1500 to 1700 hrsjoin through GIDM Official YouTube live streaminglink: https://youtu.be/US-e3G9vkXQOrganized byState Institute ofRural DevelopmentGujarat Institute ofDisaster Management

A. BackgroundThe orientation program highlights the flexibility and innovation required for Role of PRIs inDRM initiatives. Further, it underscores the need for greater engagement with people and a betterunderstanding of their Disaster Risks and Resources. Orientation on Role of PRIs in DRM is aspecialization course within the comprehensive framework of Disaster Risk Management program,directed at Community leaders/Elected representatives of civil society and local Governmentofficials.Keeping the importance of this subject, GIDM has organized a Program Development and ReviewCommittee (PDRC) meeting has been conducted on 3-Dec-2019 at GIDM where discussions anddecisions were taken to have a strategic positioning of DRM in capacity building programs ofmembers associated with the PRI functionaries, across the State. As decided in the PDRC meeting,GIDM, in collaboration with SIRD, will carry out various capacity building activities on thesubject.As part of the follow-up PDRC, GIDM, in association with SIRD, has organized webinar on “Roleof PRIs in DRM” through GIDM Official YouTube live streaming (link: https://youtu.be/USe3G9vkXQ), scheduled on Thursday, 27-Aug-2020, 1500 to 1700 pm. The Registration link for thewebinar is bit.ly/aug27webThis program will assist the PRI functionaries in taking stock of the preparedness measures’initiatives on DRM, who are directly connected with the grass-roots/community. The moduleprepared on Basics of DRM and Risk Informed Gram Panchayat Development Plan may also bediscussed with the participants through this program.In view of a greater role of the elected representatives of the local bodies, are the key stakeholdersthrough whom effective participation and ownership by local communities can be achieved inDRM activities. Hence, w.r.f. to partnership between GIDM-SIRD for various capacity buildingactivities on Disaster Risk Management for the Staff, Officers and Administrative members ofPanchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development Dept., SIRD, PR Training institutions, NGOsand Youth Volunteer organizations, across the State, the proposed activity may help in assessingthe training needs of the stakeholders.Key Words: Capacity Building, RIGPDP, Community-based DRM, Risk Identification &Assessment, Governance, Sustainable DevelopmentPage 2 of 5

B. ObjectivesUnder this, the following specific objectives will be pursued 1. To understand the concept of Disaster Risk Management and the role of PRIs in DRM;2. To introduce and evaluate various participatory tools in HVCR assessment;3. To discuss various DRM measures that can be undertaken by the communities, for thecommunities.C. Targeted ParticipantsThe target group for this programme would be taluka/village level Elected representatives/Officialsand functionaries from the Department, involved in activities related to planning, design and ruraldevelopmental activities. In addition, the Youth Volunteer based organizations, NGOs and Facultymembers from PR Training institutions may also be the key target audience.D. Expected Outcome:At the end of the program, participants would be able to, Identify potential Disaster Risks;Understand Disaster Risk Management;Prepare Communities and Practices to implement Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness,Response and Recovery actions;Disaster Resilient Sustainable Development and planning activities.E. Need for involving the PRI BodiesThe PRI is a statutory body elected by the local people through a well-defined democratic processwith specific responsibilities and duties. The elected members are accountable to the people of theward, rural community, block and the district level. Keeping the above in view, the PRI, therepresentative body of the people, is the most appropriate institution from Village to the Districtlevel in view of its proximity, universal coverage and enlisting People’s Participation on aninstitutionalized basis. Their close involvement will go a long way in getting people prepared forcountering disasters as well as involve them in all possible preventive and protective activities sothat the impact of the disasters is mitigated and the people are able to save their lives and property.The PRIs can act as catalysts to social mobilization process and tap the traditional wisdom of thelocal communities to complement the modern practices in DRM efforts. Besides PRIs will alsoprovide a base for integration of various concerns of the community with that of the NGOs andYouth Volunteers based organizations, which are engaged in various Developmental activities atthe Grassroots level.Page 3 of 5

There is a view that local bodies like Panchayats should be encouraged and empowered tomanage the local affairs with the available local resources. The elected leaders and officials ofPanchayats should be trained to develop capabilities to handle emergency situation. Article 243G of Indian Constitution provide the Gram Panchayats mandate to function as “Institution ofLocal Self-Governance” plan, implement schemes for “Economic Development” and ensure“Social Justice” to all its citizens. Schedule XI of Constitution endow Gram Panchayats todeliver quality services related with 29 subjects of human development. In Gujarat 10 subjectshave been fully devolved to the Gram Panchayats through the provisions of Gujarat PanchayatRaj Act-1993.There is an institutional arrangement for disaster management provided by the DisasterManagement Act, 2005 that gave constitutional sanction to prepare the DM plan at GramPanachayat level (local body) to be consolidated at block and district level by the DistrictPlanning Committee (Article 243ZD of the Constitution). The Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)members can play a vital role of leadership in Disaster management at all stages.Moreover, the 73rd Constitution Amendment (1992) heralded a new phase in the country’s questfor a democratic decentralized set-up; more so, in matters pertaining to devolution of powers,functions, functionaries and finances. One of the objectives of Panchayati Raj (PR) is topromote popular participation through an institutional framework.It must be conceded that wherever it has strong roots, PRI has played a crucial role inmobilizing people in various situations of emergencies. The impact of disasters on people livingin vulnerable areas and losses to their property can be minimized by a proactive role played byPRIs at the grassroots level. Apart from great organizing skills, it may call for courage andleading from the front, the PRI members can play a role of leadership in Disaster RiskManagement at all stages.References1.2.3.4.5.Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-30UNDRR TerminologyPM’s 10 Point AgendaGIDM Training Module on Basics of DRM, 2019GIDM Training Module on Risk Informed Gram Panchayat Development Plan, 2020https://gidm.gujarat.gov.in/Page 4 of 5

Program ScheduleThursday, 27-Aug-2020, 1500 to 1700 hrs14:30 – 15:00---Reporting to respective locations to view the program---15:00 – 15:05Welcome, About GIDM and Introduction about the CourseDr. Chintan Pathak, APPM, GIDM15:05 – 15:15Opening RemarksShri Sanjay Joshi, Director (DM), GIDM15:15 – 15:30Key Note AddressSmt. Bhargavi Dave, IAS, Special Director, SIRD and Addl.Commissioner, Rural Development15:30 – 16:00Introduction to Basics of Disaster Risk ManagementShri Sanjay Joshi, Director (DM), GIDMAt the end of this session participants will be able to: 16:00 – 16:30Terminology used in DRMList and define the basic concepts that comprise DRMInternational, National and State frameworksState activities w.r.f. to Disaster Management CycleMainstreaming DRM into Development Planning: RIGPDPRole of PRIs in DRMShri Binoy Acharya, Director, UNNATIAt the end of this session participants will be able to: Community based Disaster Management: Empowering Communities toCope with Disaster RisksRole Stakeholders in Community based Disaster Risk ManagementMainstreaming CBDM in Government ProgrammesCapacity Building and Risk Resilient CommunitiesUnderstand coordinating institutions & Duties of concerned stakeholdersParticipatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) TechniquesPanchayati Raj Dept. role in linking Development Programs and RiskInforming through DRR approachRoles and responsibilities of PRIs in Gram Panchayat Development Plan16:30 – 17:00How RI-GPDPs are being Planned and Implemented: Issues andSolutionsPresentation by GPs: A Case Study of Kanthkot village, Ta. Bhachau,Dist. KutchhShri Khengar Sanghar, Sarpanch, GP: Kanthkot, Ta.: Bhachau, KutchShri Sureshbhai Chhanga, Sarpanch, GP: Kuneriya, Ta.: Bhachau,Kutch17:00 – 17:15Question-Answer and ConclusionPage 5 of 5

ROLE OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT 27-Aug-2020, 1500 to 1700 hrs join through GIDM Official YouTube live streaming . directed at Community leaders/Elected representatives of civil society and local Government officials. Keeping the importance of this subject, GIDM has organized a Program Development and Review