The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Tuesday sought information on the existing preparedness to deal with earthquakes in Dhaka and other cities across the country.
The request was made at the committee's first meeting of the 13th Parliament, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with committee chairman Munsi Rafiqul Alam in the chair.
The committee recommended effective measures to ensure rapid dissemination of early warnings to people in disaster-prone areas.
It asked the ministry to prepare district-wise lists of shelters and volunteers, present them at the next meeting and send copies to local members of parliament.
Stressing accountability, the committee said project officials must discharge their responsibilities with honesty, dedication and accountability.
It also recommended ensuring proper distribution of relief and assistance and allocations, and keeping shelters clean and fit for use.
The committee called for close monitoring of construction work to stop contractors from using substandard materials.
A presentation on the activities of the ministry and its subordinate departments and agencies was made at the meeting, and the committee was briefed on the ministry's work over the past six months.