Piyush Goyal reviews cyclone measures in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha

New Delhi: The minister for commerce and industry, consumer affairs, food and public distribution and textiles, Piyush Goyal here on Saturday reviewed the arrangements by Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal governments in a video conference with the state chief secretaries concerned.

National level industry associations like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and PHD Chambers were also represented at the conference. The minister took stock of the preparations being made by the respective state governments. He also reviewed the suggestions for successful mitigation made by ministries state governments, industry bodies and other organisations and appreciated the concerted efforts being made to mitigate the cyclone.

He said that this collaboration was a worthy example of cooperative federalism at its best. He also underscored the need for the drawing of a comprehensive action plan towards managing this natural disaster in a most effective way by incorporating the inputs and suggestions given by all stakeholders.

Goyal said that public private partnership was necessary for disaster management and mitigation and for protecting the lives and livelihoods of those affected.

Observing that the cyclone seemed to be a milder one, the minister said, "We must constantly upgrade our learnings and keep upgrading our capabilities". He also called for preparedness in the banking and insurance sectors to tackle the effects of the cyclone.