Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Mandi, Apoorv Devgan, has issued strict orders making the School Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) mandatory for all government and private schools in the district.
The directive mandates that all schools must prepare and submit their SDMP by the end of the financial year 2025-26. The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that student safety is of paramount importance and any negligence will be treated seriously.
Limited Compliance So Far
The orders, issued under various provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, state that so far only 1,291 schools have prepared and submitted their SDMP through the School Safety App.
Despite capacity-building training being provided by the District Disaster Management Authority through DIET Mandi, several institutions have yet to initiate proper implementation of the plan. Officials warned that such delays could pose serious risks in the event of a disaster.
Clear Deadlines and Accountability
All schools have been directed to prioritize the preparation of their SDMP and ensure submission before the close of the current financial year. From the financial year 2026-27 onward, it will be mandatory for schools to prepare, update, and implement the plan within one month of the commencement of each academic session.
Institution heads must also ensure widespread awareness of the plan, conduct regular mock drills, and establish clear response mechanisms for emergency situations.
The order further clarifies that if any untoward incident occurs in an institution without an approved SDMP, personal responsibility will be fixed not only on the institution head but also on concerned block- and district-level officials.
The directives have come into immediate effect, and strict compliance has been ordered across the district.
