PANAJI: A day-long sensitisation programme to ensure proper implementation of the set procedures as laid down in the Blue Book by the Union home ministry in case of any disaster would be held at Bogmallo on Tuesday coupled with mock drill on how to respond in emergencies.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the programme, the Chief Secretary, Mr Sanjay Kumar Shrivastava, said the sensitisation programme would be conducted by a retired senior police official, Mr J K Sinha, and that the Governor, Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, all the senior government officials, including heads of government, would be present at the programme.

Stating that the disasters strike unannounced, he urged the people to be vigilant, even as he said the state authorities, including the disaster management panels, were ready to tackle the situation arising out of calamities. He said that such exercises were being conducted to ensure maximum response from the authorities in meeting with exigencies.

Mr Shrivastava further said that recently conducted Sagar Kavach exercise to gauge the preparedness of the authorities in dealing with cases of coastal security met with 70 per cent success, and that the efforts of the government was to ensure at least 95 per cent success if not 100 per cent.

The Chief Secretary further said that he would not like to see that people were troubled by River Princess and that he would personally like to see that the vessel was removed from its grounded place. He, however, said that there was no mechanism in place in case River Princess broke down but said that the state authorities would be able to handle any situation.

He informed that the demand put forward by the Goa Government Employees Association was "unaffordable" for the government, even as he said that the report by the finance secretary would be examined. He said that no government could afford to give scales above the recommendations of the VI Pay Commission. He, however, said the financial position of the state was sound adding that the government has not given up the proposal on professional tax.

The Chief Secretary assured action against illegal mining in Pernem taluka involving a former legislator and evasion of royalty to the government so also in the case of regularisation of housing structures on Communidade lands. He also said that work on resurvey of land was going on.