Disaster Management Act 2005
The following governing bodies are established by DMA 2005.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- The National Disaster Management Authority will be chaired by India’s Prime Minister and will have a maximum of nine members, including a Vice-Chairperson.
- All members will be appointed for a five-year term.
- The NDMA’s primary duty is to develop disaster management strategies, plans, and recommendations in order to ensure an efficient response in the event of a disaster.
National Executive Committee
- The DMA gives the government the authority to form a National Executive Committee (NEC) to assist the National Disaster Management Authority.
- The NEC is made up of government secretaries from the ministries of the interior, health, electricity, finance, and agriculture.
- The National Emergency Committee is in charge of preparing the country’s National Disaster Management Plan and ensuring that it is “reviewed and revised regularly.”
State Disaster Management Authority
- The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is in charge of developing the state’s disaster plan.
- It is chaired by the Chief Minister and consists of eight members appointed by the Chief Minister.
- The SDMA is required by section 28 to ensure that all state departments prepare disaster recovery plans in accordance with the National and State Authorities’ requirements.
District Disaster Management Authority
- The Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will be the Collector or District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner of the district.
- To know what role the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) plays in disaster mitigation in India, visit the linked article
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- The National Disaster Response Force is tasked with responding to a threatening disaster or a situation similar to it.
- The NDRF is led by a Director-General appointed by the Central Government. The NDRF has played a major role in rescuing people from many disaster related events in the past such as the Kashmir floods of 2014 and the Kerala floods of 2018.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is India’s apex disaster management statutory body.
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was formally established on September 27, 2006, in compliance with the Disaster Management Act of 2005, with the Prime Minister as its Chairperson and nine other members, one of whom was appointed as Vice-Chairperson.
Mandate
- Its main goal is to organise disaster response, both natural and man-made, as well as to develop disaster resiliency and crisis response capability.
- It is also the apex body for establishing Disaster Management strategies, plans, and recommendations to ensure a prompt and efficient response to disasters.
Vision
- To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, proactive, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.
Functions and Responsibilities of NDMA
- Approve the National Disaster Plan.
- Lay down policies on disaster management.
- Approve plans prepared by Ministries or Departments of the Central Government in accordance with the National Plan.
- Lay down guidelines to be followed by State Authorities in drawing up State Plans.
- Lay down guidelines to be followed by different Ministries or Departments of Central Government for the purpose of integrating measures for disaster prevention or mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects.
- Coordinate enforcement and implementation of disaster management policy and plan.
- Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation.
- Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as determined by the Central Government.
- Take such other measures for prevention of disasters or mitigation or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disaster as it may be necessary.
- Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.
Source: PIB
