Jammu, February 16, 2026 : Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday emphasized the urgent need for a structured, transparent, and time-bound disaster relief mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir, directing officials to ensure that relief assistance reaches disaster-affected families without delay.
Chairing the 4th meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R), the Chief Secretary highlighted the acute vulnerability of communities affected by natural calamities in the Union Territory. He observed that such families often have no alternative support system other than timely government assistance.
Stressing accountability and sensitivity, Dulloo directed officers to prioritise prompt disbursement of relief and ensure that affected households are not subjected to procedural delays.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Home; Special Director General (Coordination); Special Secretary, Finance; senior representatives of concerned departments; and officers of DMRR&R.
Immediate Clearance of Pending Relief Claims
Taking serious note of pending relief claims, the Chief Secretary unequivocally ordered the immediate release of outstanding amounts in favour of Deputy Commissioners of districts affected by last year’s flash floods. He sought a detailed compliance report, directing that funds must be released strictly in accordance with the assessed requirements of each district.
Strengthening Disaster Preparedness & Response
Highlighting the unpredictable nature of disasters, Dulloo called for the establishment of a robust and clearly defined disaster response mechanism. He directed departments to:
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Strengthen preparedness and mitigation measures in advance
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Institutionalise a standardised framework clearly defining roles and responsibilities
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Ensure swift, coordinated, and effective action during emergencies
Key Updates Presented to the Committee
Earlier, Principal Secretary, Home Chandraker Bharti briefed the Committee on Action Taken Reports (ATRs) from previous SEC meetings. He informed that:
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The process for constituting Urban Disaster Management Authorities for Jammu and Srinagar is underway
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Engagement of United Nations Development Programme as a technical partner for Disaster Risk Management in J&K is in progress to formulate a comprehensive disaster mitigation plan
He further informed that nearly ₹96 crore has been released to districts under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) following recent disasters and highlighted multiple capacity-building initiatives to enhance district-level preparedness.
The Committee was also apprised of Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA) conducted with support from the National Disaster Management Authority, in line with guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs. These assessments aim to evaluate losses comprehensively and frame a structured reconstruction and recovery strategy.
Operationalising Incident Response System
To strengthen disaster response at divisional and district levels, the Committee approved a standardised Incident Response System (IRS) notification for all divisions and districts. This move is expected to ensure a coherent, coordinated, and rapid response during emergencies.
The meeting also deliberated on further strengthening District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs). It was informed that the Finance Department will provide necessary funds for engaging consultants to enhance the technical and institutional capacity of DDMAs across the Union Territory.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods, the Chief Secretary directed all departments to work collectively towards building a resilient, responsive, and future-ready disaster management framework for Jammu and Kashmir.
