6Powers and functions of National Authority.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the National Authority shall have the responsibility for laying down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management for ensuring timely and effective response to disaster.
(2) Without prejudice to generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the National Authority may--
(a) lay down policies on disaster management;
(b)¹[(b) coordinate the preparation and approval of the National Plan;]
(c) approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan;
(d) lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan;
(e) lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects;
(f) coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plan for disaster management;
(g) recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation;
(h) provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government;
(i) take such other measures ²[which includes providing technical guidance to State Government and State Authorities] for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with the threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary;
(j) lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.
²[(k) coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy;
(l) lay down guidelines for preparing disaster management plan by different Ministries or Departments of the Central Government and the State Authorities;
(m) provide necessary technical guidance to the State Governments and the State Authorities for preparing their disaster management plans in accordance with the guidelines laid down by it;
(n) provide necessary advice and technical guidance to different Ministries or Departments and agencies of the Government of India, and the State Governments regarding mitigation, preparedness, and recovery and reconstruction measures;
(o) take stock of the entire range of disaster risks in the country periodically, including emerging disaster risks, and issue updated guidance for their mitigation.
Explanation.--- For the purposes of this clause, it is hereby clarified that the expression "emerging disaster risks" refer to risks of those disasters that may not have taken place, but may occur in future due to extreme climate events and other factors as may be determined by the National Authority;
(p) plan and coordinate specialised training programmes for disaster management for different levels of officers, employees and voluntary rescue workers;
(q) provide necessary technical guidance or give advice to the State Authorities, District Authorities and Urban Authorities for carrying out their functions under this Act;
(r) promote general education and awareness in relation to disaster management;
(s) monitor the implementation of the guidelines laid down by the National Authority for integrating disaster prevention and mitigation measures in the development plans and projects of Ministries or Departments of the Government of India;
(t) undertake disaster preparedness assessment of each State periodically, in line with the National Plan and the guidelines laid down by it;
(u) undertake in the aftermath of severe disaster in any State, post disaster audit of preparedness and response activities of the State;
(v) create a national disaster database in accordance with such policy as may be determined by the Central Government;
(w) recommend guidelines for the minimum standards of relief to be provided to persons affected by disaster, which may include,---
(i) the minimum requirements to be provided in the relief camps in relation to shelter, food, drinking water, medical cover and sanitation;
(ii) the special provision to be made for widows and orphans;
(iii) ex gratia assistance on account of loss of life as also assistance on account of damage to houses and for restoration of means of livelihood; and
(iv) such other reliefs as the National Authority may deem appropriate.]
(3) The Chairperson of the National Authority shall, in the case of emergency, have power to exercise all or any of the powers of the National Authority but exercise of such powers shall be subject to ex post facto ratification by the National Authority.