Sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005

These provisions govern the powers and functions of the State Disaster Management Authority, standards of disaster relief, and the constitution of the State Executive Committee. The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 materially changed this group of provisions with effect from 9 April 2025.

Section 18 - Powers and functions of State Authority

Meaning: Section 18 makes the State Authority responsible for laying down disaster-management policies and plans for the State and specifies its principal planning, coordination, mitigation, preparedness, awareness, technical-assistance, relief-standard and data functions.

Section 18(1): Subject to the Act, the State Authority has responsibility for laying down policies and plans for disaster management in the State.

Section 18(2): Without limiting that general responsibility, the State Authority may:

1. lay down the State disaster management policy;
2. coordinate the preparation, and approve the State Plan in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Authority;
3. approve disaster management plans prepared by departments of the State Government;

Section 18(2)(ca): approve the District Plan and Urban Plan prepared by the District Authorities and Urban Authorities respectively, in accordance with the National Plan and State Plan.

4. lay down guidelines for State Government departments to integrate disaster-prevention and mitigation measures into development plans and projects, and provide necessary technical assistance;
5. coordinate implementation of the State Plan;
6. recommend provision of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures;
7. review development plans of State departments and ensure integration of prevention and mitigation measures;
8. review mitigation, capacity-building and preparedness measures of State departments and issue necessary guidelines;

Additional functions inserted by the 2025 amendment

Section 18(2) now also requires or authorises the State Authority to approve District and Urban Plans; periodically assess the full range of disaster risks, including emerging risks; coordinate and monitor implementation of the National Policy, National Plan and State Plan; issue planning guidelines; promote education, awareness and community training; provide technical assistance or advice; supply disaster-management information to the National Authority; prescribe State relief standards that cannot fall below National Authority minimum standards; and maintain the State disaster database while contributing to the national database.

Section 18(3): In an emergency, the Chairperson of the State Authority may exercise all or any powers of the State Authority, subject to ex post facto ratification by the State Authority.

Section 19 - Omitted from 9 April 2025

Section 19, formerly titled Guidelines for minimum standard of relief by State Authority, was omitted by Section 11 of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 with effect from 9 April 2025.

The substance of the State Authority's relief-standard function was moved into Section 18(2)(o). The State Authority may lay down guidelines for standards of relief for persons affected by disasters in the State, but those standards cannot be lower than the minimum standards in guidelines laid down by the National Authority.

Section 20 - Constitution of State Executive Committee

Meaning: Section 20 establishes the State Executive Committee, commonly called the SEC, as the executive body that assists the State Authority, coordinates action under its guidelines and ensures compliance with directions issued by the State Government under the Act.

Section 20(1): After notification under Section 14(1), the State Government must constitute the State Executive Committee to assist the State Authority in performing its functions, coordinate action in accordance with State Authority guidelines and ensure compliance with State Government directions under the Act.

Section 20(2): The State Executive Committee consists of:

1. the Chief Secretary to the State Government as Chairperson, ex officio;
2. four Secretaries to the State Government from departments selected by the State Government, ex officio; and
3. the Director General of Police of the State as a member, ex officio. This clause was inserted by the 2025 amendment.

Section 20(3): The Chairperson exercises powers and performs functions prescribed by the State Government and any additional powers and functions delegated by the State Authority.

Section 20(4): The procedure followed by the State Executive Committee in exercising its powers and discharging its functions is prescribed by the State Government.

How Sections 18, 19 and 20 work together

Section 18 defines the policy, planning and oversight role of the State Authority. Following the 2025 amendment, it also contains the State-level function concerning standards of relief. Section 19 is therefore omitted. Section 20 creates the State Executive Committee that assists the State Authority and coordinates implementation at the executive level.

Official legal sources

For the latest consolidated statutory text and amendment material, see the Disaster Management Act, 2005 on India Code and the Ministry of Home Affairs Disaster Management Division - Laws, Policies and Plans.

Legal information on this page is intended for general reference. For a specific matter, verify the current statutory text, applicable rules, notifications and judicial decisions.