Indian IRCS Jammu & Kashmir state branch hosted review meeting on 17th March, 2016 at Srinagar. The meeting was chaired by Shri Avinash Rai Khanna, Vice Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society, National Headquarters.
Among others, General Secretary IRCS J&K Mr M S Rather, Regional Secretaries, Dy Commissioners of Kulgam and Shopian districts, ADCs of other districts, Director, Disaster Management of J&K, Principal Government Medical College (GMC), Superintendents of hospitals, State Coordinator Jan Aushadhi were also present.
General Secretary apprised the Vice-Chairman and members about the activities carried out by the J&K State Branch of Indian Red Cross Society during the financial year 2016-2017.
Vice Chairman in his opening remarks dealt in detail about the importance of the mandate of Red Cross movement in alleviating the sufferings of the victims of natural and manmade disasters. He reminded participants of the vulnerability of the state. He also emphasized on maintaining the sanctity of the Red Cross emblem and prevent its widespread misuse by doctors, paramedical staff and others. He advised the Dy Commissioners’, Principal GMC and medical superintendents of hospitals to ensure correct use of the RC emblem. Mr Rather was also instructed to monitor the misuse.
Mr Khanna also stressed on the necessity of imparting first aid training at community level in close coordination with State Health Department and Disaster Management organisation. Training should also be provided to the community level leaders such as Sarpanch, Lambardar and Chowkidar on priority basis so that it has a cascading effect on the capacity building of the rural population. He asked the state Gen Secy to submit a comprehensive proposal for creation of a 'Resource Centre' at state level for better management and coordination of training programmes with other departments, agencies and sister organisations.
The Vice Chairman also urged the participants to enroll life members and urged them to initiate a programme to provide dental care to women, especially in rural areas.
He shared the idea with the Deputy Commissioners to move a proposal to make 'donations to Red Cross' an admissible expenditure under the rules of the Constituency Development Fund of MLA’s / MLC’s.
General Secretary made a fervent appeal for supply of the relief materials to J&K State Branch. He read out a list of items needed for further distribution among the 02 Regional / 22 District Red Cross Committees. He said that Red Cross is not having any relief material in the stores.
MONETARY SUPPORT:
The General Secretary apprised the Vice Chairman about the medical cases with serious complications (kidney failure / kidney transplant / Hepatitis) being received by the IRCS-J&K State and its allied units for assistance but due to limited resources the Red Cross is unable to provide even cash relief to the poorest of the patients.
The General Secretary requested the Vice Chairman that a Monetary support of Rs. 1.00 crore every year starting from the next financial year 2017-2018 onwards, apart from the awarded activities may be provided to IRCS-J&K State Branch..
Junior / Youth Red Cross Trainings:
The General Secretary proposed to conduct trainings on Introduction about Red Cross / First Aid / Disaster Management / Dead Body Management / Restoring Family Links / Awareness of Red Cross Emblem / Sanitation & Hygiene / Role of JRC & YRC in the Degree Colleges across the State. 20-25 students from each Degree College shall be provided the training to enhance the database of Red Cross Volunteers across the State.
The Vice Chairman was requested to consider the provision of an amount of Rs. 30.00 lakhs every year starting from the next financial year 2017-2018 onwards.
The Vice Chairman was apprised that J&K State Branch wants to hold an Inter State JRC/YRC Camp in 2017-18 for about 1000 students for promotion of national integration.
The General Secretary requested that the expenditure for conducting the Inter State JRC/YRC Camp may be borne by the National Headquarters.
Regarding construction of 2 warehouses the Vice Chairman advised the Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar to identify a piece of land for construction of a ware house.
The Vice Chairman took a note of the request made by the General Secretary regarding providing technical assistance for preparation of Disaster Management Plans at District and Regional Level in view of the fact that J&K falls in Seismic Zone V.
