Civil Defence Units to be established in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. District Magistrates will be appointed as commandants. These units will work for disaster management and citizen safety, also providing employment opportunities for youth.
UP News: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has taken a landmark decision to establish Civil Defence Units in all 75 districts of the state. This decision aims to ensure citizen safety during emergencies, strengthen disaster management, and provide employment opportunities to local youth.
What is a Civil Defence Unit and why is it necessary?
A Civil Defence Unit, also known as a civil protection force, is an organization that assists the administration during emergencies such as natural disasters, accidents, or any kind of crisis. Its main objective is to protect lives and property, raise public awareness, and carry out relief operations during disasters.
This decision by the UP government is significant because, until now, Civil Defence arrangements existed in only 24 districts. Its expansion across the entire state will significantly improve Uttar Pradesh's disaster management capabilities.
When and where did Civil Defence begin?
Civil Defence Units in Uttar Pradesh were first established in 1962, initially covering only 15 districts. This was expanded to 11 more districts in 2015. Now, under the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the process of establishing this service in the remaining 49 districts has begun.
Previously operational districts include Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur Nagar, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Agra, Bareilly, Jhansi, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Mathura, Bulandshahr, Narora, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar (Chandauli).
Who will be responsible for the Civil Defence Unit?
The government has clarified that the District Magistrate (DM) will be appointed as the Commandant/Controller of the Civil Defence Unit in each district. Under the DM's leadership, the creation of posts for Civil Defence, identification of necessary land, and other administrative preparations will be undertaken. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) have also been assigned responsibilities in this regard.
In which districts will the Civil Defence Units be launched?
The 49 districts where Civil Defence Units will now be established include Ambedkarnagar, Amethi, Auriya, Unnao, Bahraich, Barabanki, Ballia, Bijnor, Badaun, Chitrakoot, Deoria, Etawah, Etah, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Hathras, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Amroha, Kasganj, Kanpur Dehat, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghazipur, Hapur, Hamirpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lalitpur, Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Mahoba, Mainpuri, Maharajganj, Mau, Pilibhit, Pratapgarh, Rampur, Rae Bareli, Sambhal, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Shamli, Sitapur, Shravasti, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur, Siddharthnagar, and Balrampur.
What is the work of a Civil Defence Unit?
The main objective of a Civil Defence Unit is to assist citizens during emergencies. Twelve key services have been established under this:
- Headquarters Service
- Casualty Service
- Rescue Service
- Dead Body Disposal Service
- Communication Service
- Fire Fighting Service
- Welfare Service
- Salvage Service
- Unclaimed Property Protection
- Warden Service
- Training Service
- Supply and Transport Service
The aim of all these services is to provide swift and effective relief during crises, protect lives and property, and maintain production.
Who will benefit from Civil Defence?
The greatest benefit will be felt in districts previously lacking resources to manage natural disasters, accidents, or other emergencies. This arrangement will be a significant support, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Furthermore, it offers a valuable opportunity for local youth, providing training and employment opportunities within Civil Defence.
