Responsibilities of departments of the State Government

Section 39 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 deals with responsibilities of departments of the State Government. It shall be the responsibility of every department of the Government of a State to--- (a) take measures necessary for prevention of disasters, mitigation, preparedness and capacitybuilding in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Authority and the State Authority; The Act came into force on 28 Jul 2006.

It shall be the responsibility of every department of the Government of a State to---

(a) take measures necessary for prevention of disasters, mitigation, preparedness and capacitybuilding in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Authority and the State Authority;

(b) integrate into its development plans and projects, the measures for prevention of disaster and mitigation;

(c) allocate funds for prevention of disaster, mitigation, capacity-building and preparedness;

(d) respond effectively and promptly to any threatening disaster situation or disaster in accordance with the State Plan, and in accordance with the guidelines or directions of the National Executive Committee and the State Executive Committee;

(e) review the enactments administered by it, its policies, rules and regulations with a view to incorporate therein the provisions necessary for prevention of disasters, mitigation or preparedness;

(f) provide assistance, as required, by the National Executive Committee, the State Executive Committee ¹[District Authorities and Urban Authorities], for---

(i) drawing up mitigation, preparedness and response plans, capacity-building, data collection and identification and training of personnel in relation to disaster management;

(ii) assessing the damage from any disaster;

(iii) carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction;

(g) make provision for resources in consultation with the State Authority for the implementation of the District Plan by its authorities at the district level ²[and the Urban Plan by the Urban Authorities];

(h) make available its resources to the National Executive Committee or the State Executive Committee or the District Authorities ²[or the Urban Authorities] for the purposes of responding promptly and effectively to any disaster in the State, including measures for---

(i) providing emergency communication with a vulnerable or affected area;

(ii) transporting personnel and relief goods to and from the affected area;

(iii) providing evacuation, rescue, temporary shelter or other immediate relief;

(iv) carrying out evacuation of persons or live-stock from an area of any threatening disaster situation or disaster;

(v) setting up temporary bridges, jetties and landing places;

(vi) providing drinking water, essential provisions, healthcare and services in an affected area;

(i) such other actions as may be necessary for disaster management.

Section 39, The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Act 53 of 2005).