Himachal Pradesh Successfully Conducts Training on State Disaster Mitigation Fund Portal

Shimla, November 20, 2024:
A comprehensive training program on the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) Portal, developed by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC)-HP, was successfully organized in a hybrid mode. The training aimed to enhance understanding among stakeholders regarding the newly developed portal’s functionalities and its transformative impact on disaster mitigation efforts.

Objectives and Highlights of the Training
The primary objective of the program was to familiarize participating departments with the SDMF Portal’s features, focusing on transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. The portal is designed to streamline disaster mitigation project management, from proposal submission to monitoring and fund utilization.

The training was chaired by Sh. Nishant Thakur, Additional Secretary (Education) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh and Project Director of the SDMF. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the portal’s role in eliminating redundancy and ensuring transparency in project management. He outlined the mandatory shift to digital processes, stating that all Preliminary Project Reports (PPRs) and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) must now be submitted exclusively through the portal. Additionally, implementing agencies are required to resubmit previously approved proposals by **December 30, 2024**, aligning with the new system.

Key Features of the SDMF Portal
During the session, NIC-HP Scientists **Sanjay Thakur**, **Vinod Kumar**, and **Kunal** provided in-depth insights into the portal’s tools and capabilities. Key features include:

1. Satellite-Based Site Selection:
The portal integrates satellite imagery for identifying and selecting project sites. This ensures accurate geographic targeting for mitigation measures like landslide prevention, flood protection, and slope stabilization.

2. Duplication Prevention and Monitoring:
By tracking all project proposals, the portal prevents overlapping initiatives, saving resources and enhancing efficiency. It also provides tools for monitoring project progress in real-time.

3. Access to Committee Decisions:
Implementing agencies can easily access decisions on project proposals, fostering transparency and improving communication among stakeholders.

4. Online Meeting Tools:
The portal includes features to create and organize agendas for online meetings, ensuring streamlined discussions on project approvals and reviews.

5. Customizable Reporting:
Users can generate detailed reports filtered by hazard type, department, district, project cost, and other parameters. This flexibility supports data-driven decision-making.

6. Digital Submission to TAC:
The portal facilitates the electronic submission of DPRs to the Technical Appraisal Committee (TAC), expediting evaluations and approvals.

7. Fund Utilization Details:
Comprehensive tracking of fund allocation and usage ensures accountability and transparency in disaster mitigation efforts.

The training saw active participation from **535 officials**, including SEs, XENs, JEs, BDOs, and computer operators representing departments like PWD, JSV, HIMUDA, Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism, and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs). Representatives from HPSDMA, including Dr. Rohit Chauhan, Er. Aloukik Sharma, MS Lata Thakur, and MS Priyanka, alongside other dignitaries, contributed to the discussions.

This initiative marks a significant step toward leveraging technology for effective disaster management, ensuring that Himachal Pradesh remains prepared for future challenges.

**#DisasterMitigation #DigitalGovernance #SDMFPortal #HimachalPradesh**