What is in news : SC directs NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) to issue norms for financial help to kin of Covid victims

National Disaster Management Authority

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex statutory body for disaster management in India.
• The NDMA was formally constituted on 27th September 2006, in accordance with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 with Prime Minister as its Chairperson and nine other members, and one such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson.

Mandate: Its primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response. It is also the apex body to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.

Vision: To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, proactive, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.

Functions and Responsibilities of NDMA

• Approve the National Disaster Plan
• Lay down policies on disaster management
• Approve plans prepared by Ministries or Departments of the Central Government in accordance with National Plan
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by State Authorities in drawing up State Plan
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by different Ministries or Departments of Central Government for purpose of integrating measures for disaster prevention or mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects
• Coordinate enforcement and implementation of disaster management policy and plan
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as determined by Central Government
• Take such other measures for prevention of disasters or mitigation or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of National Institute of Disaster Management

Institutional Framework for Disaster Management in India

• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has provided the legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India at the national, state and district levels.
• Primary responsibility of Disaster management vests with the state government.
• The central government lays down the plans, policies and guidelines and provides technical, financial and logistical support while the district administration carries out most of the operations in collaboration with central and state level agencies.

National Executive Committee (NEC)

• A National Executive Committee is constituted under Section 8 of DM Act, 2005 to assist the National Authority in the performance of its functions.
• Union Home secretary is its ex-officio chairperson.
• NEC has been given the responsibility to act as the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management, to prepare a National Plan, monitor the implementation of National Policy etc.

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): NIDM has the mandate of human resource development and capacity building for disaster management within the broad policies and guidelines laid down by the NDMA.

National Disaster response force (NDRF): NDRF is the specialized force for disaster response which works under the overall supervision and control of NDMA.