Sections 15, 16 and 17 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005
Sections 15 to 17 regulate three institutional aspects of a State Disaster Management Authority: how its meetings are conducted, how it is provided with officers and staff, and how it may obtain expert advice through an advisory committee.
Law status: The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has been amended, including by the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, which came into force on 9 April 2025. The provisions reproduced below should be read with the Act as currently amended and applicable rules or State notifications.
| Section | Subject | Core rule |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Meetings of State Authority | Meetings are held when necessary at the time and place determined by the Chairperson; the Chairperson, or in specified circumstances the Vice-Chairperson, presides. |
| 16 | Officers and employees | The State Government provides the officers, consultants and employees considered necessary for the State Authority's functions. |
| 17 | Advisory committee | The State Authority may constitute an expert advisory committee and its members receive allowances as prescribed by the State Government. |
Section 15 - Meetings of the State Authority
(1) The State Authority shall meet as and when necessary and at such time and place as the Chairperson of the State Authority may think fit.
(2) The Chairperson of the State Authority shall preside over the meetings of the State Authority.
(3) If for any reason, the Chairperson of the State Authority is unable to attend the meeting of the State Authority, the Vice-Chairperson of the State Authority shall preside at the meeting.
Meaning and effect of Section 15
Section 15 provides the basic meeting procedure for the State Disaster Management Authority. It does not prescribe a fixed periodic schedule. Instead, the Authority must meet whenever necessary, while the Chairperson determines the time and place. Ordinarily the Chairperson presides; where the Chairperson cannot attend, the Vice-Chairperson presides.
Section 16 - Appointment of officers and other employees of State Authority
The State Government shall provide the State Authority with such officers, consultants and employees, as it considers necessary, for carrying out the functions of the State Authority.
Meaning and effect of Section 16
Section 16 places responsibility on the State Government to provide the human resources required by the State Authority. The provision expressly covers officers, consultants and employees. The number and nature of personnel depend on what the State Government considers necessary for performance of the Authority's statutory functions.
Section 17 - Constitution of advisory committee by the State Authority
(1) A State Authority may, as and when it considers necessary, constitute an advisory committee, consisting of experts in the field of disaster management and having practical experience of disaster management to make recommendations on different aspects of disaster management.
(2) The members of the advisory committee shall be paid such allowances as may be prescribed by the State Government.
Meaning and effect of Section 17
Section 17 enables, but does not require in every case, the State Authority to constitute an advisory committee. The committee is intended to bring specialist knowledge and practical disaster-management experience into the Authority's decision-making. Its statutory role is recommendatory, and the allowances payable to members are governed by prescriptions made by the State Government.
Official legal sources
For the latest consolidated statutory text and amendments, refer to the official India Code portal. Notifications, the amended Act, policies and disaster-management plans are also published through the Ministry of Home Affairs disaster management portal.