Question

Who typically heads the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in most Indian states?

• A. The Chief Minister
• B. The District Collector
• C. The State Relief Commissioner (SRC)
• D. The Director General of Police

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The State Relief Commissioner (SRC)

• Nodal Authority: The State Relief Commissioner is a senior-ranking officer, often from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), who serves as the nodal authority for all disaster management, relief, and rehabilitation efforts within the state. They have the administrative and financial powers of a Secretary to the Government for disaster-related matters.

• Central Role: The SEOC is the nerve center for all disaster-related activities at the state level, and the SRC's role is to act as the chief coordinator. They oversee the entire response, from the moment a disaster warning is received until the recovery and rehabilitation phase. The SRC ensures that all relevant government departments and agencies, such as the police, health services, fire and rescue, and public works, are working together effectively.

• Decision-Making: The SRC is responsible for making critical decisions during a disaster, including:

  • Declaring a state of emergency or a disaster.

  • Approving and sanctioning funds for relief measures from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

  • Coordinating with central government agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other ministries.

  • Ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of relief materials and services to affected areas.