Chapter VI FUNCTIONS OF AUTHORITY

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority shall be primarily responsible for promoting an integrated and coordinated system of disaster management including prevention or mitigation of disaster by the State, local authorities, stake holders and communities.

(2) The Authority shall-

(a) act as the central planning, coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management and post-disaster reconstruction, rehabilitation, evaluation, and assessment; (b) assist the State Government in formulation of policy relating to emergency relief notwithstanding that the implementation of emergency relief shall be the responsibility of the Revenue Department and other departments of the Government; (c) inform the State Government and departments of Government on progress and problems in disaster management; (d) promote general education and awareness on disaster management, emergency planning and response; (e) and matters incidental thereto.

(3) The State Government, the Collector, concerned officers of the State Government and the local authorities in the State shall give such assistance and support to the Authority in performing its functions as may be required by the Authority.

(1) The Authority shall take reasonable steps to collect or cause to be collected data on all aspects of disasters and disaster management and analyze such data; and cause and conduct research and study relating to the potential effects of events that may result in disasters. (2) The Authority may, by notice in writing, require any person to provide such information as may be useful for the purpose of sub-section (1) to the Authority within such period as may be specified in the notice. (3) The Authority shall ensure that any information furnished by a person under sub-section (2) shall not be divulged except for the purpose of performing its functions under this Act.

The Authority shall act as a repository of information concerning disasters and disaster management, and shall— (a) establish an institute; (b) ensure the establishment of communication links and setting up of emergency communication and early warning systems in the State; (c) maintain databases of information required for the disaster management operations; (d) ensure establishment of communication links with disaster management agencies in India and other countries, including institutions performing functions similar to those of the Authority; (e) to exchange information, and to have access to international expertise on disaster management.

(1) The Authority shall develop or cause to be developed guidelines for the preparation of disaster management plans and strategies and keep them up-date and shall assist such departments of Government, local authorities and person, as may be specified by the Authority in preparation of plans and strategies and coordinate them. (2) The plan preparing authority while preparing the plan under sub-section (1) shall make suitable provisions in the plan after considering the following, namely:-- (a) the types of disaster that may occur and their possible effects; (b) the communities and property at risk; (c) provision for appropriate prevention and mitigation strategies; (d) inability to deal with disasters and promote capacity-building; (e) the integration of strategies for prevention of disaster and mitigation of its effects with development plans, programmes and such other activities in the State; (f) provision for assessment of the nature and magnitude of the effects of a disaster; (g) contingency plans including plans for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the event of a disaster, providing for,- (i) allocation of responsibilities to the various stakeholders and co-ordination in carrying out their responsibilities; (ii) procurement of essential goods and providing essential services; (iii) establishment of strategic communication links; (iv) dissemination of information; and (v) other matters as may be provided for in the regulations; (h) any other matter required by the Authority. (3) The Authority shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, and maintain a master plan for the State.

(1) The Authority shall promote or cause to be promoted awareness and preparedness and advise and train the community, and stakeholders with a view to increasing capacity of the community and stakeholders to deal with potential disasters by - (a) publishing guidelines and recommendations in this behalf; (b) facilitating access to its electronic database; (c) promoting disaster management capacity building and training programs amongst communities and other stakeholders; (d) assisting in the development of methodologies for reduction of vulnerability of disasters; (e) coordinating the integration of methodologies for awareness and preparedness with development plans, programmes and such other activities; and (f) acting in any other manner as it deems fit in this behalf. (2) The Authority shall formulate such policy relating to mechanisms for risk transfer including insurance for disaster preparedness as it deems necessary and implement the same or cause to be implemented.

(1) The Authority may recommend the appropriate authority to take into consideration the matters to be specified by the authority for mitigation of a disaster while preparing new plans. (2) The Authority may inspect existing development plans made by the appropriate authority and may recommend the appropriate authority to vary the plan after considering matters for mitigation of disaster specified by the authority. (3) The Authority may inspect the quality of construction of any building or structure in any local area in the State and where the Authority is of the opinion that the quality of construction of such building or structure is such that it may result in loss of life or damage to any property if a disaster occurs, it may recommend the local authority to take such action as may be necessary under the relevant local authority law to avoid such a consequence.

(1) The Authority shall assist the State Government in formulating policies relating to relief activities. (2) Where the Authority is of the opinion that the relief provided by the Commissioner or the Collector is not adequate, the Authority shall recommend the Government to modify the norms followed by the Commissioner or the Collector and, where necessary, recommend other relief measures.

On the expiry of a disaster declaration, the Authority shall, where necessary, act as an agency for facilitating and coordinating rehabilitation and reconstruction activities by departments of the Government.