The State Disaster Management Authority and the State Plan

In one line

Every State has an authority chaired by its Chief Minister, an executive committee chaired by its Chief Secretary, and a plan that since 2025 must begin by naming what is exposed and how vulnerable it is.

In the wording a student can write in an examination: section 14 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 requires every State Government to establish a State Disaster Management Authority, consisting of the Chief Minister as Chairperson ex officio, not more than eight nominated members and the Chairperson of the State Executive Committee ex officio, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority; section 18 sets out its powers and functions; section 20 constitutes the State Executive Committee under the Chief Secretary; section 22 gives that committee its functions; section 23 provides for the State Plan; and section 24 gives the committee its powers in the event of a threatening disaster situation.

Section 14, the State Authority

Establishment. Every State Government shall, as soon as may be after the notification establishing the National Authority, establish by notification a State Disaster Management Authority for the State with such name as the notification specifies.

Composition. A Chairperson and not more than nine other members as prescribed by the State Government, and unless the rules provide otherwise: the Chief Minister as Chairperson ex officio; not more than eight members nominated by him; and the Chairperson of the State Executive Committee ex officio.

The Vice-Chairperson. The Chief Minister may designate one of the nominated members.

And the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairperson of the State Executive Committee, that is the Chief Secretary, is ex officio the Chief Executive Officer of the State Authority. So the same officer heads the executive committee and runs the authority, which is the connective tissue of the whole State structure.

The Union territories, and it is worth learning because it is easy to ask. In a Union territory having a Legislative Assembly, except Delhi, the Chief Minister is the Chairperson. In other Union territories, the Lieutenant Governor or the Administrator is the Chairperson. And in Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor is the Chairperson and the Chief Minister is the Vice-Chairperson.

Sections 15, 16 and 17. The Authority meets as and when necessary at the Chairperson's convenience, he presides and the Vice-Chairperson presides in his absence. The State Government provides officers, consultants and employees. And the Authority may constitute an advisory committee of experts with practical experience of disaster management.

Section 18, the functions of the State Authority

Sub-section (1). The responsibility for laying down policies and plans for disaster management in the State.

Sub-section (2), much expanded in 2025.

Policy and approval. Lay down the State disaster management policy, clause (a). Coordinate the preparation and approve the State Plan in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Authority, clause (b) as substituted. Approve the disaster management plans prepared by the State departments, clause (c). And, inserted in 2025, approve the District Plan and the Urban Plan prepared by the District and Urban Authorities in accordance with the National Plan and the State Plan, clause (ca).