Powers and functions of State Authority

Section 18 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 deals with powers and functions of State Authority. Subject to the provisions of this Act, a State Authority shall have the responsibility for laying down policies and plans for disaster management in the State. The Act came into force on 28 Jul 2006.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a State Authority shall have the responsibility for laying down policies and plans for disaster management in the State.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of provisions contained in sub-section (1), the State Authority may---

(a) lay down the State disaster management policy;

¹[(b) coordinate the preparation, and approve the State Plan in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Authority;]

(c) approve the disaster management plans prepared by the departments of the Government of the State;

²[(ca) approve the District Plan and Urban Plan, prepared by the District Authorities and Urban Authorities respectively, in accordance with the National Plan and State Plan;]

(d) lay down guidelines to be followed by the departments of the Government of the State for the purposes of integration of measures for prevention of disasters and mitigation in their development plans and projects and provide necessary technical assistance therefor;

(e) coordinate the implementation of the State Plan;

(f) recommend provision of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures;

(g) review the development plans of the different departments of the State and ensure that prevention and mitigation measures are integrated therein;

(h) review the measures being taken for mitigation, capacity building and preparedness by the departments of the Government of the State and issue such guidelines as may be necessary.

²[(i) take stock of the entire range of disaster risks in the State, periodically including emerging disaster risks, and take necessary measures for their mitigation;

(j) coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy, the National Plan and the State Plan;

(k) lay down guidelines for preparation of disaster management plan by the Departments of the Government of the State, the District Authorities and the Urban Authorities;

(l) promote general education, awareness and community training in regard to the forms of disasters to which different parts of the State are vulnerable and the measures that may be taken by such community to prevent the disaster, mitigate and respond to such disaster;

(m) provide necessary technical assistance or give advice to the District Authorities, local authorities and Urban Authorities for carrying out their functions effectively;

(n) provide information to the National Authority relating to different aspects of disaster management;

(o) lay down guidelines for standards of relief to persons affected by disasters in the State:

Provided that such standards shall in no case be less than the minimum standards in the guidelines laid down by the National Authority in this regard;

(p) maintain the State disaster database and provide inputs to the National disaster database.]

(3) The Chairperson of the State Authority shall, in the case of emergency, have power to exercise all or any of the powers of the State Authority but the exercise of such powers shall be subject to ex post facto ratification of the State Authority.

Section 18, The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Act 53 of 2005).