The particulars of organization, functions and duties: Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority

1.1 Creation of Authority

The GSDMA has been constituted by the Government of Gujarat by the GAD's Resolution dated 8th February, 2001. The Authority has been created as a permanent arrangement to handle the natural calamities. The objectives for constitution of this authority have been clearly spelt out and precisely defined in para (2) of the said Resolution. These are as follows:

1. To provide relief to the people for the loss incurred due to natural calamity and to undertake rehabilitation and reconstruction as also social and economic activities or restoration of the situation.
2. To make efforts to minimize the impact of natural calamities through precautionary programmes and schemes.
3. To analyze and study the reasons of natural calamities and to suggest the remedies to avoid or minimize the effects of such natural calamities.
4. To make the best use of the funds, grants, donations, assistance received from Government of India and other foreign countries or from any other institutions/persons for prevention of such natural calamities or for handling the after-effects; to obtain loans and make proper use of the funds received by the Authority.

The headquarters of this authority are at Gandhinagar and its jurisdiction is throughout the entire state of Gujarat. It functions as an autonomous body. Its activities are non-profitable and it is registered as a charitable institution under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The Authority used to work under the aegis of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Division, a separate cell created under the GAD.

In 2002 the Government of Gujarat declared the "Disaster Management Policy" for the state, followed by the passing of the "Gujarat State Disaster Management Act, 2003" (assented on 28 March 2003, in force from 13 May 2003). Gujarat became the first state in India to enact a legal and regulatory framework for disaster management.

With effect of the GSDM Act 2003, the Society constituted earlier as GSDMA stood dissolved under Section 49 of the Act, and the Authority under sub-section 1 of Section 6 came into existence. The Government of Gujarat, vide Notification No. DMA-1003-1488-B dated 29th August 2003, established the Authority with effect from 1st September 2003, with Gandhinagar as its headquarters.

1.2 Constitution of the Authority

Section 7 of the GSDM Act 2003 provides for the constitution of the Authority, consisting of a Chairperson and not more than fourteen other members, namely:

(a) the Chief Minister of the State, ex-officio, who shall be the Chairperson;

(b) two Ministers nominated by the Chief Minister by virtue of their office from amongst the Council of Ministers of the State;

(c) the Chief Secretary of the State, ex-officio;

(d) the Secretary to the Government of Gujarat, Revenue Department, ex-officio;

(e) the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, ex-officio;

(f) the State Relief Commissioner, ex-officio; and

(g) the Director General of Police of the State, ex-officio;

(h) such other officers of the State Government as may be appointed by the State Government by virtue of their office.

Provided that when a proclamation made under Article 356 of the Constitution is in force in the State, the Central Government may appoint three persons, in place of the Chief Minister and other two Ministers, as Chairperson and members of the Authority, who shall vacate their office upon revocation of such proclamation. Members hold office during the pleasure of the State Government and receive prescribed remuneration.

1.3 Duties and Functions of the Authority

Chapter VI (Sections 12 to 19) of the Act provides the duties and functions of the Authority, summarized below:

13. (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 subsection (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 subsection (2) shall not be divulged except for the purpose of performing its functions under this Act.

14. 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 database 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.

15. (1) The Authority shall develop or cause to be developed guidelines for the preparation of disaster management plans and strategies and keep them update 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 coordination 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.

16. (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 programmes 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.

17. (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.

18. (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.

19. 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.

1.4 Organization

Posts on deputation basis:

Support Staff: The CEO / Addl. CEO of GSDMA are authorized to recruit 52 support staff from various disciplines either through deputation or through contract on an emergency basis.

  Organization chart (reporting hierarchy)

                                                                         Chief Minister (Chairman)

                                                                                       ↓

                                                                                  CEO GSDMA

                                                                                       ↓

                                                                               ACEO GSDMA

                                                                                       ↓    

List of officers and employees performing duties and functions: