The state government is mulling bringing death due to heat wave under its relief norms.
The state government is mulling bringing death due to heat wave under its relief norms. As part of this policy decision, the state has recommended that the Centre make an amendment to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to ensure that families of persons who succumbed to the heat wave get monetary relief.
Around nine people have died in the state due to heat-related causes. Of these, four deaths are from Jalgaon district, two from Dhule and from Aurangabad, Bhandara and Ahmednagar. However, the state government said that whether the deaths were due to heat and heat-related issues can be ascertained only after a post mortem report.
Relief and rehabilitation minister, Eknath Khadse claimed that all deaths were due to heat wave while state disaster management cell officials said not all could be called heat wave victims till post mortem reports were in hand.
“According to NDRF norms, farmers could get relief for damaged crops or unseasonal rain or hailstorm, but there was no provision to provide monetary help to heat wave victims or those whose crops had been damaged due to the heat wave. Thus, the state government will propose to the Union government to amend NDRF norms to give relief to fragile crops as well,” said Mr Khadse.
He further said that till NDRF amended its norms, the state would provide relief to heat wave victims. “We have instructed local authorities to start the process and make a Panchnama of all cases and submit the report,” he said.
The report is expected on Monday, which will be placed before the cabinet on Tuesday for discussion. Subsequently, the proposal will be sent to the Union government to amend norms for heat wave relief, the minister added.
“There are nine deaths in the state but they are suspected heat wave victims. We have asked for detailed reports from the concerned authorities which we will get till Monday,” said Suhas Diwase, director, state disaster management cell.
