Assam Government purposes to make swimming proficiency mandatory for Class I officers mandatory to tackle Flood Challenges in the state. This initiative was discussed in the 51st State Executive Meeting chaired by Chief Secartory Dr. Ravi Kota.
The decision is taken in aims to enhance disaster risk reduction strategies in the flood prone area of Assam. Annually, Assam state witnessed of flood that makes havoc for both lives and livelihoods.
According to the proposal, “A large number of government officials and employee travel by boat to their work places and also during field visits. They may be encouraged to learn swimming by giving incentive for attaining proficiency in the skill.”
To encourage the officers to attain proficiency in swimming, government will provide reimbursement of up to ₹10,000 for training costs.
This policy is designed for everyone, even the officials who work in non-flood prone area, make the proficiency swimming mandatory.
The plan is currently focused on Class I officers, but there are talks about extending it to other government employees in the future. A committee has been formed to consider making swimming training and proficiency certificates necessary for regular pay raises and promotions. This could encourage officers to take training.
The Chief Minister has reportedly given his approval to the proposal.
According official resources, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has started Phase I swimming proficiency and life skill development training for government officials in Kamrup Metro district.
According to the Flood Hazard Atlas of Assam, prepared by the Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre using satellite data, approximately 28.75 percent of the state’s land (around 22.54 lakh hectares) affected by floods between 1998 and 2015.
