DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

ADMINISTRATIVE SETUP

In exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1) of section 25 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 (53 of 2005) the State Government has constituted “District Disaster Management Authority, East District’’ consisting of the following members:-

1. 1. District Collector, East -Chairperson, Ex-officio
2. 2. Zilla Adakshya, East -Co-Chairperson, Ex-officio
3. 3. Superintendent of Police, East -Member
4. 4.Chief Medical Officer, East -Member
5. 5. District Development Officer, East -Member
6. 6. Addl. District Collector, East -Member Secretary

Powers and functions of the District Authority as per the DM Act 2005

1. The Chairperson of the District Authority shall, in addition to presiding over the meetings of the District Authority , exercise and discharge such powers and functions of the District Authority as the District authority may delegate to him.
2. The Chairperson of the District Authority, shall in case of emergency, have power to exercise all or any of the powers of the District Authority but the exercise of such powers shall be subject to ex post facto ratification of the district authority.
3. The District Authority or the chairperson of the District Authority may by general or special order in writing delegate such of its or his powers and functions under sub section (1) and (2) above as the case maybe, to the Chief Executive Officer of the District Authority, subject to such conditions and limitations , if any, as it or he deems fit.
4. The District Authority shall meet as and when necessary and at such time and place as the chairperson may think fit.
5. The District Authority may, as and when necessary, constitute one or more advisory committee and other committees for the efficient discharge of the functions.
6. The district authority shall act as the district planning, coordinating and implementing body for disaster management and take all measures for the purpose of disaster management in the district in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Authority and the State Authority.
7. The District authority may:
   • Prepare a disaster management plan including district response plan of the district.
   • Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy, State Policy, National Plan, State Plan and District Plan.
   • Ensure that the areas in the district vulnerable to disasters are identified and measures for the prevention of disasters and the mitigation of its effects are undertaken by the departments of the Government at the district level as well as by the local authorities.
   • Ensure that the guidelines for prevention of disasters, mitigation of its effects, preparedness and response measures as laid down by the National Authority and the State Authority are followed by all departments of the Government and at the district level and the local authorities in the district.
   • Give directions to different authorities at the district level and local authorities to take such other measures for the prevention or mitigation of disasters as may be necessary.
   • Lay down guidelines for prevention of disaster management plans by department of the Government at the district level and local authorities in the district.
   • Monitor the implementation of disaster management plans prepared by the departments of the Government at the district level.
   • Lay down guidelines to be followed by the departments of the Government at the district level for purposes of integration of measures for prevention of disasters and mitigation in their development plans and projects and provide necessary technical assistance and monitor the implementation.
   • Review the state of capabilities for responding to any disaster or threatning disaster situation in the district and give directions to the relevant departments or authorities at the district level for their upgradation as may be necessary.
   • Review the preparedness measures and give directions to the concerned departments at the district level or other concerned authorities where necessary for bringing the preparedness measures to the level required for responding effectively to any disaster or threatening disaster situation.
   • Organise and coordinate specialised training programmes for different level of officers, employees and voluntary rescue workers in the district.
   • Facilitate community training and awareness programmes for prevention of disaster or mitigation with the support of local authorities, government and non-governmental organisations.
   • Set up, maintain, review and upgrade the mechanism for early warning and dissemination of proper information to public.
   • Prepare, review and update district level response plan and guidelines.
   • Cordinate response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster.
   • Ensure that the Departments of the Government at the district level and the local authorities prepare their response plans in accordance with the district response plan.
   • Lay down guidelines for, or give direction to, the concerned department of the Government at the district level or any other authorities within the local limits of the district to take measures to respond effectively to any threatning disaster situation or disaster.
   • Advise, assist and cordinate the activities of the Departments of the Government at the district level, statutory bodies and other governmental and non-governmental organisations in the district engaged in disaster management.
   • Cordinate with and give guidelines to local authorities in the district to ensure that measures for the prevention or mitigation of threatning disaster situation in the district are carried out promptly and effectively.
   • Provide necessary technical assistance or give advise to the local authorities in the district for carrying out their functions.
   • Examine the construction in any area in the district and if it is of the opinion that the standards for the prevention of disaster or mitigation laid down for such construction is not being or has not been followed, may direct the concerned authority to take such action as may be necessary to secure compliance of such standards.
   • Identify buildings and places which could, in the event of any threatening situation or disaster, be used as relief centres or camps and make arrangement for water supply and sanitation in such buildings or places.
   • Establish stockpiles of relief and rescue materials or ensure preparedness to make such materials available at a short notice.
   • Provide information to the State Authority relating to different aspects of disaster management.
   • Encourage the involvement of non-governmental organization and voluntary social-welfare institutions working at the grassroots level in the district for disaster management.
   • Ensure communication systems are in order, and disaster management drills are carried out periodically.
   • Perform such other functions as the State Government or State Authority may assign to it or as it deems necessary for Disaster Management in the District.

Powers and functions of District Authority in the event of any threatening disaster situation or disaster:

• Give directions for the release and use of resources available with any department of the government and the local authority in the district.
• Control and restrict vehicular traffic to, from and within the vulnerable or affected area.
• Control and restrict the entry of any person into, his movement withinand departure from a vulnerable or affected area.
• Remove debris, conduct search and carry out rescue operations.
• Provide shelter, food, drinking water and essential provisions, healthcare and services.
• Establish emergency communication systems in the affected area.
• Make arrangements for the disposal of the unclaimed dead bodies.
• Recommend to any Department of the Government of the State or any other authority or body under that Government at the district level to take such measures as are necessary in its opinion.
• Require experts and consultants in the relevant fields to advise and assist as it may deem necessary.
• Procure exclusive or preferential use of amenities from any authority or person.
• Construct temporary bridges or other necessary structures and demolish structures which may be hazardous to public or aggravate the effects of the disaster.
• Ensure that the non-government organization carry out their activities in an equitable and non-discriminatory manner.
• Take such other steps as may be required or warranted to be taken in such a situation.