The State will finally have an agency to deal with disasters.

The Executive Committee on Friday approved setting up Disaster Management Authority (DMA), almost three years after the Centre enacted National Disaster Management Act.

 Briefing reporters after the executive committee meeting, P K H Tharakan, one of the Governor’s Advisors, said DMA will be have eight members, including the CM as the Chairman. Similarly, Disaster Management Committees will be set up at all districts, headed by the respective deputy commissioners. The Committee approved amendment to the Karnataka Co-operative Societies Act, to empower co-operative societies to take independent decision on recruitment of staff, increase in salary and other matters.

But this will apply to only those who fulfil these two conditions. The expenditure of such societies should not exceed 2 per cent of their annual turnover and they must be making profit, P P Prabhu, another Advisor of the Governor said.

Cauvery issue
Krishna Kumar, one of the Governor’s Advisors, said the State is taking all steps to defend its stand before the Supreme Court on Cauvery river water sharing issue. The SC has recently issued a notice to the State in response to a petition filed by Tamil Nadu taking objection to the alleged attempt by Cauvery Niravari Nigam to construct hundreds of tanks to store excess water in the Cauvery river basin. The State has 15 days time to reply, he added.