J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Orders Rapid Disaster Relief and Institutionalized Response Mechanism

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 16, 2026 — Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired the 4th State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting of the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R), where he issued a stern directive for the establishment of a time-bound and institutionalized disaster relief framework. Emphasizing that disaster-affected families in Jammu & Kashmir often rely solely on government support, the Chief Secretary ordered the immediate clearance of all outstanding relief claims, specifically targeting districts hit by last year’s flash floods.

To ensure accountability, he demanded a detailed compliance report on the disbursement of approximately ₹96 crore already released under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Beyond immediate financial aid, the meeting highlighted strategic advancements, including the ongoing formation of Urban Disaster Management Authorities for Jammu and Srinagar and a technical partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to formulate a forward-looking mitigation plan.

To streamline ground-level action, the Committee approved a standardized Incident Response System (IRS) for all divisions and districts, while the Finance Department pledged funding to hire specialized consultants to bolster the technical capacity of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) across the Union Territory.