Sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005: NEC Sub-Committees, Powers and National Plan

Section 9 - Constitution of sub-committees

Meaning: Section 9 authorises the National Executive Committee to create one or more sub-committees whenever necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions. The Chairperson of such a sub-committee must be appointed by the NEC from among its own members. An expert associated with a sub-committee may receive allowances as prescribed by the Central Government.

Section 10 - Powers and functions of the National Executive Committee

Meaning: Section 10 makes the NEC the principal national executive body assisting the National Disaster Management Authority (National Authority). It implements the policies and plans of the National Authority and ensures compliance with Central Government directions for disaster management.

Section 10(1): The NEC assists the National Authority in discharging its functions, implements its policies and plans, and ensures compliance with directions issued by the Central Government for disaster management.

Section 10(2), as substituted with effect from 9 April 2025: Without limiting Section 10(1), the NEC may perform the following functions:

1. act as the coordinating body for disaster management;
2. monitor implementation of the National Plan and the plans prepared by Ministries or Departments of the Government of India;
3. monitor, coordinate and give directions concerning mitigation and preparedness measures to be taken by Central Government Ministries, Departments and agencies;
4. evaluate preparedness at all governmental levels for responding to a threatening disaster situation or disaster and provide necessary advice for improving preparedness;
5. coordinate response in the event of a threatening disaster situation or disaster;
6. lay down guidelines or give directions to Central Government Ministries or Departments, State Governments and State Authorities concerning response measures;
7. require a Ministry, Department or Government agency to make available to the Central Government or State Government the personnel or material resources available with it for emergency response, rescue and relief;
8. advise, assist and coordinate the activities of Central Government Ministries or Departments, State Governments, statutory bodies, governmental or non-governmental organisations and others engaged in disaster management;
9. where a disaster or threatening disaster situation affects more than one State, issue directions concerning coordination between the States, containment measures, monitoring and forecasting effects across States, deployment of specialised teams and resources, requisition and deployment of necessary public or private resources and technical capacities, public awareness measures, and coordination of support to persons and communities affected by containment measures; and
10. perform such other functions as it considers appropriate.

Containment measures: For Section 10, the Act clarifies this expression as actions and strategies adopted at individual, community, district, State, multi-State or national level to control or slow the spread of a disaster from its initial focal area.

Section 11 - National Plan

Meaning: Section 11 requires a disaster management plan for the whole country, called the National Plan. Following the 2025 amendment, the National Authority coordinates its preparation and approval in consultation with the Central Government, State Governments and other stakeholders.

Section 11(1): A disaster management plan for the whole country must be drawn up and is called the National Plan.

Section 11(2), as substituted with effect from 9 April 2025: The National Authority coordinates, in consultation with the Central Government, State Governments and other stakeholders in disaster management, the preparation and approval of the National Plan, having regard to the National Policy.

Section 11(3): The National Plan includes:

1. measures for prevention of disasters or mitigation of their effects;
2. measures for integrating mitigation measures into development plans;
3. measures for preparedness and capacity building for effective response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster; and
4. the roles and responsibilities of different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India concerning those measures.

Section 11(4), as substituted with effect from 9 April 2025: The National Authority must review the National Plan once every three years and update it at least once every five years.

Section 11(5): The Central Government must make appropriate financial provision for measures to be carried out under the National Plan.

Section 11(6): Copies of the National Plan referred to in sub-sections (2) and (4) must be made available to Central Government Ministries or Departments, which must prepare their own plans in accordance with the National Plan.