(1) These rules may be called the Disaster Management (National Disaster Response Force) Rules, 2008.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a) Act means the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (53 of 2005);

(b) battalion means a unit of the Central Para Military Force earmarked by that Force as a battalion;

(c) Central Para Military Forces means the Central Para Military Forces constituted under,

(i) the Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949 (66 of 1949);

(ii) the Border Security Force Act, 1968 (47 of 1968);

(iii) the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968 (50 of 1968); 2[* * *]

(iv) the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992 (35 of 1992);3[or]

4[(v) the Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007 (53 of 2007).]

(d) National Authority means the National Disaster Management Authority established under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Act;

(e) National Disaster Response Force means the National Disaster Response Force constituted under sub-section (1) of Section 44 of the Act.

(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

(1) The personnel deputed from the Central Para Military Forces by the Central Government in the Ministry of Home Affairs vide Order Number 1/15/2002-DM-I/NDM-III(A), dated the 19th January, 2006 shall be deemed to have been deputed in the National Disaster Response Force under these rules.

(2) The Central Government may, in consultation with the National Authority, depute, as and when required, such number of personnel from the Central Para Military Forces to the National Disaster Response Force for the purposes of disaster management, having skills, capabilities and qualifications and experience of handling disaster and their management and such other technical qualifications as prescribed by the Central Government in this behalf:

Provided that in the case of non-availability of personnel with the required technical qualification and experience, the Central Government may appoint such personnel through deputation from other organizations or on contract basis.

(3) The personnel of a battalion deputed to the National Disaster Response Force under these rules shall remain ordinarily in such battalion for a period of five years:

Provided that not more than twenty-five per cent of the force may be replaced in one year.

(1) The general superintendence, direction and control of the National Disaster Response Force shall vest in, and be exercised by, the National Authority.

(2) The command and supervision of the National Disaster Response Force shall vest in the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force to be appointed by the Central Government.

(3) The Director General, National Disaster Response Force shall report to, and be under the administrative control of, the Vice-Chairman of the National Authority.

The National Disaster Response Force shall be trained and equipped as a specialised force to carry out the disaster management related tasks and for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disaster.

(1) The terms and conditions of service including disciplinary powers relating to the personnel deputed from the Central Para Military Forces to the National Disaster Response Force shall continue to be regulated by the provisions of the Act and the rules applicable to the respective Force and its services.

(2) The terms and conditions of service including disciplinary powers relating to the personnel appointed under the proviso to sub-rule (2) of Rule 3 shall be governed by such rules as are applicable to the officers and employees of the Central Government of the same grade.

1. Ministry of Home Affairs, Noti. No. G.S.R. 87(E), dated February 13, 2008, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Part II, Section 3(i), dated 14th February, 2008, pp. 2-3, No. 68

2. The word or omitted by G.S.R. 857(E), dt. 11-12-2008 (w.e.f. 15-12-2008).

3. Ins. by G.S.R. 857(E), dt. 11-12-2008 (w.e.f. 15-12-2008).

4. Ins. by G.S.R. 857(E), dt. 11-12-2008 (w.e.f. 15-12-2008).