PESHAWAR, Oct 27: The NWFP government on Monday notified the establishment of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to cope with natural and man-made disasters in the province where at least eight districts had been declared as prone to calamity.

A notification relating to the creation of much-awaited PDMA was issued in line with National Disaster Management Ordinance 2006, following the approval of Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti here on Monday, an official told Dawn.

Provincial Relief Commissioner Capt (retired) Jamil Amjad has been posted as director general of PDMA, who have also been authorised to hold the charge of the post of his existing assignment as additional charge till further orders.

The official said that director general of PDMA would act as chairman of the authority, whereas secretaries of home, finance, health, elementary and secondary education, higher education, irrigation, environment, agriculture, works and services, local government, information, planning and development and social welfare departments besides provincial relief commissioner, director of civil defence, representative of headquarters 11 corps and chief meteorologist would be its members.

“The director general of PDMA will be assisted by one director of grade 19, who will be responsible for human resource and administration, and other supporting staff to be sanctioned shortly,” the official added.

PDMA director general has been advised to initiate work on preparation of Provincial Disaster Management Plan in pursuance of section 17 of the National Disaster Management Ordinance 2006. He will be assisted by a consultant hired by the German Technical Agency (GTZ).

Likewise, the director general will identify the government departments to be involved in different categories of disasters, study their existing capacity in terms of human resource, equipment and training etc.

Moreover, he will assess funds available for the purpose and the required improvement of their capacity and work out he funds needs to fill the existing gaps.

In addition to PDMA, the NWFP government on Monday also notified the Provincial Disaster Management Commission, which will provide lead to PDMA.

Proposal regarding establishment of PDMA was floated in 2005 in the wake of the devastating earthquake which killed thousands of people in five districts of NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the notification, NWFP chief minister will be the chairperson of the commission, whereas minister for local government and rural development will act as its vice chairperson.

Similarly, leader of opposition in NWFP Assembly, one nominee of the leader of opposition, ministers for planning and development, agriculture, law and parliamentary affairs, finance, information, elementary and secondary education, social welfare, industries, environment, Zakat and Usher, health, livestock, works and services, housing, irrigation besides chief secretary and home secretary would be its members.

Similarly, PDMA director general will serve as member and secretary of the commission.