Chapter VIII POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF STATE RELIEF COMMISSIONER

(1) During the period an area is an affected area, the Commissioner may issue directions to the Collector and the local authority having jurisdiction over the affected area to provide emergency relief in accordance with disaster management plans.

(2) 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,

the Commissioner may- (i) make arrangements for release and use of available resources;

(ii) control and restrict vehicular traffic to, and from and within the affected area ;

(iii) control and restrict the entry of any person into, movement within and departure from an affected area ;

(iv) remove debris;

(v) conduct search and rescue operations;

(vi) make arrangements for the disposal of the unclaimed dead body;

(vii) provide alternative shelter;

(viii) provide food, medicines and other essentials;

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

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

(xi) 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;

(xii) construct temporary bridges or other necessary structures;

(xiii) demolish unsafe structures which may endanger the public;

(xiv)) ensure that non-governmental organisations carry out their activities in an equitable manner;

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

(xvi) evacuate any population from any affected area for the purpose of preservation of life and for such evacuation use such force as may be necessary; and

(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 Commissioner 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. (4) The Commissioner shall keep the Authority informed of the actions taken by him generally for providing relief and particularly under sub-sections (1) to (3).

(1) The Commissioner shall-

(a) provide inputs to the Authority relating to various aspects of disaster management, such as early warnings and status of preparedness; (b) develop an appropriate relief implementation strategy for the State in consultation with the Authority, taking into account the unique circumstances of each district and deficiency in institutional capacity and resources of the State; (c) prepare, review and update a State level emergency plans and guidelines and ensure that the district level plans are prepared, revised and updated; (d) reassess from time to time contingency plans related to disaster management; (e) ensure that disaster management drills are carried out periodically; and (f) ensure that communications systems are in order, and contingency plans provide for maximum involvement of local agencies; (g) exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be delegated by the Authority; (h) exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be specified by the regulations.