Chapter IX POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF COLLECTOR

(1) During the period an area is an affected area the Collector may issue directions to the officers of the departments of the Government and the local authority in the affected area, to provide emergency relief in accordance with the disaster management plans.

(2) The Collector may-

(i) make arrangements for release and use of available resources;

(ii) control and restrict traffic to, from and within the area affected by a disaster;

(iii) control and restrict the entry into, movement within and departure from any disaster area or part of it ;

(iv) remove debris;

(v) conduct search and rescue operations;

(vi) make arrangements for the disposal of the unclaimed dead, by appropriate means;

(vii) provide alternative shelter;

(viii) provide food, medicines and other essentials;

(ix) require experts and consultants in the matters relevant to the disaster to provide relief under his direction and supervision;

(x) to take possession and make use of any property, vehicles, equipment, buildings and means of communication on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.

(xi) procure exclusive or preferential use of amenities as and when required;

(xii) construct temporary bridges or other structures; (xiii) demolish unsafe structures which may endanger the public;

(xiv) co-ordinate with non-governmental organizations and ensure that such entities carry out their activities in an equitable manner;

(xv) disseminate information to the public to deal with the disaster;

(xvi) direct and compel evacuation, of all or part of the population from any affected area for the purpose of preservation of life and for such evacuation, and for such evacuation use such force as may be necessary;

(xvii) authorise any person, to make any entry into any place, to open or cause to be opened, any door, gate or other barrier, if he considers such an action is necessary for preservation of life and property, if the owner or occupier is absent, or being present, refuses to open such door, gate or barrier.

(3) The Collector may exercise the powers contained in sub-section (2) to the extent only that it is necessary for the purpose of- (a) assisting and protecting the community;

(b) providing relief to the community;

(c) preventing or combating disruption; or

(d) dealing with the destructive and other effects of the disaster.

(4) The Collector may issue such directions to any person or Government agency and take such other steps, as may be necessary to curtail the escalation of the disaster or to alleviate, contain or minimise the effects of disaster.

(1) Collector shall,-

(a) ensure that actions for prevention of a disaster or mitigation of its effects or preparedness to cope up with such effects are carried out in accordance with guidelines as may be prescribed; (b) provide inputs to Authority relating to various aspects of disaster management, such as early warnings and status of preparedness; (c) ensure that officials in the district acquire the knowledge to deal with disaster management ; (d) ensure that district disaster management plans are prepared, revised and updated; (e) facilitate and, co-ordinate with, local Government bodies to ensure that pre-disaster and disaster management activities in the district are carried out ; (f) facilitate community training, awareness programmes and the installation of emergency facilities with the support of local administration, non-Government organisations, and the private sector; (g) establish inter-department co-ordination on matters related to disaster management; (h) review emergency plans, contingency plans and guidelines; (i) ensure that local authorities in the district are involved in developing their own mitigation strategies; (j) ensure linkage between disaster management activities and planning; (k) ensure that communications systems are in order; (l) ensure that fire fighting equipment and other equipments related to disaster management are so maintained as to be ready for use; (m) co-ordinate the activities of reconstruction and rehabilitation in the district ; (n) ensure that disaster management drills are carried out periodically; (o) assist the Authority in monitoring the progress and outcome of efforts for reconstruction and rehabilitation ; (p) exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be delegated by the State Government, the Authority and the Commissioner; (q) exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed.