Frame norms for disaster-affected people, Apex Court directs states

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Chief Secretaries of states to frame and comply with guidelines under the Disaster Management Act on the issue of minimum standard of relief to affected persons.

A Bench, comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh, directed the states to file their response in one week on what steps they have taken so far under the Act.

“We require Chief Secretaries of the states to frame and comply with letter of National Disaster Management Authority recommending guidelines to be framed for the minimum standard relief to be provided to the affected persons. States are required to submit the response in one week as what steps they have taken so far,” the Bench said. The court’s direction came after it was informed that NDMA has written to all states, asking them to frame the rules. It took NDMA’s letter on record and posted the matter for hearing on April 4.

The plea filed by advoocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal have sought formulation of national plan for disaster management and implementation of the Act.