A German delegation led by Parliamentary State Secretary and Federal Government Commissioner for Small and Medium Enterprises and Tourism Ernst Burgbacher on Thursday discussed security and disaster management issues with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit during a visit to Delhi Secretariat.
Comprising chief executive officers of various security and technology companies of Germany, the delegation discussed a variety of issues related to disaster management, advanced technology and equipments in the security field with the Chief Minister and senior officials of the Delhi Government. The two sides called for better cooperation in these fields.
Mr. Burgbacher said the CEOs of various companies related to security and technology are working not only in Germany but also other parts of the world, including in various Indian cities.
The purpose of the visit, he said, was to exchange views on disaster management and the use of advanced technology in thwarting off the security threat that the world faces today.
The delegation also evinced keen interest in the operation of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, which was recently in the news for its handling of the Lalita Park building collapse.
The Chief Minister asked Divisional Commissioner D.M. Spolia, who is also looking after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, to conduct a meeting with the German delegation about the various issues and dialogues for better disaster management.
Mr. Burgbacher said the delegation had also met the Union Home Secretary and discussed the issue of terrorism and security threats with him.
Ms. Dikshit expressed grave concern about terrorism at large and said the world needs to address the issue in a better manner. The recent terrorism act at Varanasi has once again reiterated the need to strengthen the security mechanism to prevent such attacks in the future, the two sides said.
The German delegation was also told that Delhi has been using technological aids to combat terror. The Government and police are putting closed-circuit television cameras at major road intersections, malls, cinema halls and other crowded places to keep a watch on mischievous elements.