Policies and Acts

National Policy on Disaster Management

Vision

To build a safe and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster oriented and technology driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response.

Disaster Management

A disaster refers to a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence from natural or man-made causes, which is beyond the coping capacity of the affected community. DM involves a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient for:

• ­Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster.
• ­Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences.
• ­Capacity building including research and knowledge management.
• ­Preparedness to deal with any disaster.
• ­Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster.
• ­Assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster.
• Evacuation, rescue and relief.
• ­Rehabilitation and reconstruction.

A typical DM continuum comprises six elements; the pre-disaster phase includes prevention, mitigation and preparedness, while the post-disaster phase includes response, rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery.

A legal and institutional framework binds all these elements together

Approach

• A holistic and integrated approach will be evolved toward disaster management with emphasis on building strategic partnerships at various levels. The themes underpinning the policy are:
• Community based DM, including last mile integration of the policy, plans and execution.
• ­Capacity development in all spheres.
• ­Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices.
• ­Cooperation with agencies at national and international levels.
• ­ Multi-sectoral synergy.

Objectives

The objectives of the national policy on disaster management are:­

• Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through knowledge, innovation and education.
• Encouraging mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and environmental sustainability.
• ­ Mainstreaming disaster management into the developmental planning process.
• ­Establishing institutional and techno-legal frame works to create an enabling regulatory environment and a compliance regime.
• Ensuring efficient mechanism for identification, assessment and monitoring of disaster risks.
• ­Developing contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by responsive and failsafe communication with information technology support.
• ­Promoting a productive partnership with the media to create awareness and contributing towards capacity development.
• ­Ensuring efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs of the vulnerable sections of the society.
• ­Undertaking reconstruction as an opportunity to build disaster resilient structures and habitat for ensuring safer living.
• ­Promoting productive and proactive partnership with media in disaster management.

For More Information: National Policy on Disaster Management 2009

The Disaster Management Act 2005

Short title, extent and commencement

This Act may be called the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

It extends to the whole of India.

It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint; and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different States, and any reference to commencement in any provision of this Act in relation to any State shall be construed as a reference to the commencement of that provision in that State.

Definitions.-In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

"Affected area" means an area or part of the country affected by a disaster;

"Capacity-building" includes-

• Identification of existing resources and resources to be acquired or created;
• (Acquiring or creating resources identified under sub-clause (i);
• Organization and training of personnel and coordination of such training for effective management of disasters;

"Central Government" means the Ministry or Department of the Government of India having administrative control of disaster management;

"Disaster" means a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or manmade causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area;

"Disaster management" means a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient for-

Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster;

• Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences;
• Capacity-building;
• Preparedness to deal with any disaster;
• Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster;
• Assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster;
• Evacuation, rescue and relief;
• Rehabilitation and reconstruction;
• "District Authority" means the District Disaster Management Authority constituted under sub-section (1) of section 25;
• "District Plan" means the plan for disaster management for the district prepared under section 31;
• "Local authority" includes panchayati raj institutions, municipalities, a district board, cantonment board, town planning authority or Zila Parishad or any other body or authority, by whatever name called, for the time being invested by law, for rendering essential services or, with the control and management of civic services, within a specified local area;
• "Mitigation" means measures aimed at reducing the risk, impact or effects of a disaster or threatening disaster situation;
• "National Authority" means the National Disaster Management Authority established under sub-section (1) of section 3;
• "National Executive Committee" means the Executive Committee of the National Authority constituted under sub-section (1) of section 8;
• "National Plan" means the plan for disaster management for the whole of the country prepared under section 11;
• "Preparedness" means the state of readiness to deal with a threatening disaster situation or disaster and the effects thereof;
• "Prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
• "Reconstruction" means construction or restoration of any property after a disaster;
• "Resources" includes manpower, services, materials and provisions;
• "State Authority" means the State Disaster Management Authority established under sub-section (1) of section 14 and includes the Disaster Management Authority for the Union territory constituted under that section;
• "State Executive Committee" means the Executive Committee of a State Authority constituted under sub-section (1) of section 20;
• "State Government" means the Department of Government of the State having administrative control of disaster management and includes Administrator of the Union territory appointed by the President under article 239 of the Constitution;
• "State Plan" means the plan for disaster management for the whole of the State prepared under section 23.

Establishment of National Disaster Management Authority

With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint in this behalf, there shall be established for the purposes of this Act, an authority to be known as the National Disaster Management Authority.

The National Authority shall consist of the Chairperson and such number of other members, not exceeding nine, as may be prescribed by the Central Government and, unless the rules otherwise provide, the National Authority shall consist of the following:-

1. The Prime Minister of India, who shall be the Chairperson of the National Authority, ex officio;
2. Other members, not exceeding nine, to be nominated by the Chairperson of the National Authority.
3. The Chairperson of the National Authority may designate one of the members nominated under clause (b) of sub-section (2) to be the Vice-Chairperson of the National Authority.
4. The term of office and conditions of service of members of the National Authority shall be such as may be prescribed.

Meetings of National Authority

• The National Authority shall meet as and when necessary and at such time and place as the Chairperson of the National Authority may think fit.
• The Chairperson of the National Authority shall preside over the meetings of the National Authority.
• If for any reason the Chairperson of the National Authority is unable to attend any meeting of the National Authority, the Vice-Chairperson of the National Authority shall preside over the meeting.

Appointment of officers and other employees of the National Authority.-The Central Government shall provide the National Authority with such officers, consultants and employees, as it considers necessary for carrying out the functions of the National Authority.

Powers and functions of National Authority

1. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the National Authority shall have the responsibility for laying down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management for ensuring timely and effective response to disaster.
2. Without prejudice to generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the National Authority may -

• Lay down policies on disaster management;
• Approve the National Plan
• Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan;
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan;
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects;
• Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plan for disaster management;
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation;
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government;
• Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with the threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary;
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

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

For More Information: The Disaster Management Act 2005

Source : National Disaster Management Authority