In a move to effectively tackle the challenges posed by natural elements like tsunamis, the government will set up soon a national disaster management authority and install an early warning system.
A bill would be brought in the budget session of Parliament, beginning in February, to give effect to the proposed authority, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said after an over three-hour-long all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi.
The meeting, attended by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and ruling United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, saw the prime minister giving a brief account on the death and devastation caused by the December 26 tsunami disaster in which a total of 10,012 people were killed and 5,624 are missing.
Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who addressed the press conference along with Patil and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, said leaders of all political parties 'appreciated the prompt action' taken after the disaster and assured full cooperation in the relief and rehabilitation exercise undertaken by the government.
Replying to a question, Mukherjee ruled out scaling down the Republic Day celebrations in view of the disaster and made it clear that no political party had made any such suggestion.
The home minister said that India would be 'part and parcel' of all international efforts towards putting in place an early warning system and the government has already appointed a committee to suggest the best technology for such a system.
The government has convened an international conference of scientists in Delhi on January 21 to get the views of experts on the issue and also involve the concerned central departments, including science and technology, ocean development and space, in tackling the problem.
Besides, the meeting was told that the government has accepted 64 of the 97 recommendations made by the National Committee on Disaster Management, headed by Pawar, including setting up of a cabinet committee on disaster management.
He said the 12th Finance Commission was going into the issue of making available funds to tackle such calamities.
On acceptance of foreign aid, Mukherjee said that the prime minister has already made it clear that India does not need such assistance at this juncture. He, however, sought to distinguish assistance from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund saying the two were different entities and India was one of their founding members.
Mukherjee said that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands accounted for almost all of the 5,624 persons listed as missing, as 5,531 people are not traceable.
The meeting saw a 30-minute presentation by the home secretary and a detailed briefing by the cabinet secretary.
Replying to a question, the home minister said the children orphaned in the disaster would be the responsibility of the government. NGOs and individual adoptions would come only at the end. "We do have laws and procedures. We will take care of our children," Patil said.
Mukherjee detailed that as many as 20,800 personnel of the armed forces and paramilitary forces were involved in the rescue and relief effort, 'one of the biggest peacetime operations' undertaken by the army, navy and air force.
A large number of ships, aircraft, helicopters and other equipment were being used for these operations, including some in neighbouring countries affected by the tsunami.
Asked whether it was being treated as a 'national calamity', the three ministers said in unison that it was one.
The home minister said there were several suggestions from leaders of various political parties, including giving priority to rehabilitation of fishermen who have been hit hard by the calamity.
They also wanted steps to ensure ecological balance and provide counselling to women and children traumatised by the tragedy.
Later, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj said the leaders felt the setting up of a warning system would be much better than spending thousands of crores in relief and rehabilitation.
Communist Party of India-Marxist leaders Nilotpal Basu and Basudev Acharia said all parties agreed that the December 26 tsunami disaster was a national calamity and the rescue, relief and reconstruction operations were well-managed.
Acharia said 90% of those affected were fishermen and all parties demanded loan waivers and special assistance for purchase of boats and nets.
Telugu Desam Party leader K Yerrannaidu said he had sought enhancing of ex-gratia amount from the present Rs 200,000 to Rs 300,000 and a comprehensive insurance policy covering all fishermen from the east and west coast.
Others who attended the meeting included BJP leader Jaswant Singh, Shiv Sena's Ananta Geete, Shiromani Akali Dal leader S S Dhindsa, Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Abani Roy and Indian Federal Democratic Party leader P C Thomas.
Two All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ministers of Tamil Nadu represented the party at the meeting.
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