Context: Recently, National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meets to review preparedness for impending cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ in Arabian Sea.

Role of National Crisis Management Committee

• It is a committee set up by the Government of India in the wake of a natural calamity for effective coordination and implementation of relief measures and operations.

• The NCMC has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary.

Other members

• the secretary to the Prime Minister,

• secretaries of the ministries of home affairs, defence, agriculture and cooperation, RAW

• director of Intelligence Bureau. 

Key functions

• Oversee the Command, Control and Coordination of the disaster response.

• The NCMC gives direction to the Crisis Management Group as deemed necessary. 

• This is a group under the chairmanship of the Relief Commissioner comprising the senior officers from the various ministries and other concerned departments. 

• The CMG will meet at least twice in a year.

• Reviews every year contingency plans formulated by the central ministries/departments.

• Reviews measures required for dealing with a natural calamity.

• Coordinates the activities of the central ministries and state governments in relation to disaster preparedness and relief.

• Obtains information from the nodal officers on measures relating to the above.