Sunday, January 9 2005 15:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Government will soon set up a Disaster Management Authority and become part of an international warning system for tsunami.

This was decided at an all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss relief and rehabilitation in tsunami-affected areas of the country.

Emerging out of the three-and-a-half hour meeting, senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters that the leaders felt the setting up of a warning system would be much better than spending thousands of crore in relief and rehabilitation.

"The Government accepted the suggestion that India should be part of the international warning system. It also agreed to set up a Disaster Management Authority as recommended by the Disaster Management Committee set up by the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government under Sharad Pawar's Chairmanship," she said.

The Government would bring a law in this regard in the next session of Parliament, Swaraj said.

The BJP leader said Railway Minister Laloo Prasad had given an assurance that necessary directions would be issued to ensure that political parties and NGOs directly get the relief material sent to them instead of being routed through District Magistrates.

"Many political parties found it difficult to send relief directly to their activists for distribution due to this condition. By removing this obstacle, there will be several hands joining Government efforts," she added.

Swaraj said the BJP had objected to the delayed holding of the all-party meeting.

Briefing reporters, CPM (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.

"Many suggestions were put forward and it was agreed that tsunami warning system will be installed. The Government has convened an international conference on January 21 where leading scientists have been invited to discuss the issue," Basu said.

He said while quake cannot be predicted, tsunami can be and, hence, the need for warning systems.

Acharia said 90 per cent of those affected were fishermen and all parties demanded loan waivers and special assistance for boats and nets.

He said Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar would be shortly visiting Tamil Nadu and "decisions will be taken in the next couple of days".

TDP (Telugu Desam Party) leader K Yerrannaidu said he had sought enhancing of ex-gratia amount from the present Rs two lakh to Rs three lakh.

"This should be applicable to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Central contribution should be increased from Rs one lakh to two lakh there also," he said, adding a comprehensive insurance policy covering all fishermen from the east and west coast should be worked out.

Others who attended the meeting included former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP President and Leader of Opposition L K Advani, BJP leader Jaswant Singh, Shiv Sena's Ananta Geete, SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal) leader S S Dhindsa, RSP (Republican Socialist Party) leader Abani Roy and Indian Federal Democratic Party leader P C Thomas.