National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Establishment, Objectives, Composition

• Committees to make recommendations on the preparation of disaster management plans and mitigation mechanisms:
  • 1999: High Powered Committee.
  • 2001: National Committee after Gujarat Earthquake .
  • 2005: Disaster Management Act, after the 2004 Tsunami
    • 2005: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) constituted by an Executive Order of the Government of India (apex body for disaster management in the country).
    • 2006: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was notified under the provisions of the Act.
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Prevention/preparedness/resilience at all levels through knowledge; Identification/assessment/ monitoring of disaster risks; Mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and environmental sustainability.
• Mainstream disaster management into disaster planning; Enabling regulatory environment and compliance regime; Develop contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by IT.
• Productive partnership with media

• Chairperson and other members not exceeding 9 (status of minister of state).
• PM is the ex-officio chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and nominates all the other members.
• Vice-chairperson: PM designates one of the members as the vice-chairperson (status of cabinet minister) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

• Approval of Plan: Approve the National Plan And plans prepared by the Ministries/ Departments of the GoI by the National Plan.
• Guidelines: Lay down guidelines to be followed by the SDMAs with the State Plan;
• Policy Enforcement/Implementation: Coordinate the enforcement/implementation of policy for disaster management.
• Recommend the provision of funds for mitigation.
• Support for Countries Affected by Major Disasters
• Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Capacity Building Measures
• Formulation of Policies: Lay down policies for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

• Guidelines for minimum standards of relief to be provided to persons affected by disaster.
• Recommendations  Relief: Recommend relief in repayment of loans or grant of fresh loans on concessional terms to persons affected by a disaster.
• General superintendence/ direction/control of the NDRF.

• Mission-Mode Approach and Collaborative Initiatives of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Involving  several initiatives with the help of various institutions operating at the national, state and local levels. 
• Participatory and Consultative Process for Policy and Guideline Evolution: Central ministries, States and other stakeholders have been involved for  evolving policies and guidelines
• Alignment with International Disaster Reduction Frameworks: This Policy framework is also in conformity with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, the Rio Declaration, the Millennium Development Goals and the Hyogo Framework 2005-2015. 
• Foundational Themes of the Policy: 
• Community-based disaster management, including last mile integration of
• the policy, plans and execution.
• Capacity development in all related areas.
• Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices.
• Cooperation with agencies at the national, regional and international levels.
• Compliance and coordination to generate a multi-sectoral synergy.

• Established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Every state government should establish an SDMA for the state.

• Established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Every state government should establish a DDMA for every district in the state.

• Chairperson and other members not exceeding 9.
• Ex-officio chairperson: CM of the state. 
• The other members, not exceeding eight, are nominated by the chairperson of the SDMA. He also designates one of the members as the vice-chairperson of the SDMA. 
• The Chairperson of the State Executive Committee is the ex-officio member of the SDMA and acts as the ex-officio chief executive officer of the SDMA.

• Chairperson and not exceeding 7 members.
• Ex-officio Chairperson: Collector/District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner.
• The elected representative of the local authority is the ex-officio co-chairperson of the DDMA.
• In the case of tribal areas (6th schedule), the chief executive member of the district council of the autonomous district is the ex-officio co-chairperson of DDMA.
• Members: The chief executive officer of the DDMA (appointed by the state government), the superintendent of police and the chief medical officer of the district, Not more than two other district-level officers are appointed by the state government.
• In the case of a district where Zilla Parishad exists, the chairperson of the Zilla Parishad is the co-chairperson of the DDMA.

• Prepare a disaster management plan, including a disaster response plan for the district.
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy, State Policy, National Plan, State Plan and District Plan.
• Identify Vulnerable Areas: In the district, measures for the prevention/mitigation of disasters and their effects are undertaken by the departments of the government at the district level/local authorities.
• Enforcement of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)/SDMA Guidelines: Ensure guidelines, as laid by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)/SDMA, are followed by all departments/local authorities at the district level.
• Organize and coordinate specialized training programmes; Facilitate community training and awareness programmes.
• Early Warning Mechanisms: Set up, maintain, review and upgrade the mechanism for early warnings and dissemination of proper information to the public. 
• Advise, Assist and Coordinate: the activities of the departments of the government at the district level, statutory bodies and other governmental and non-governmental organizations in the district.
• Relief Centre: Identify buildings that can be used as relief centres.

• Additional Functions: Perform such other functions as the state government or SDMA may assign to it as it deems necessary for disaster management in the district.

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