Thursday, December 30 2004 17:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Centre is considering enacting a law to set up a National Disaster Management Authority (DMA) to provide immediate assistance in the event of a natural calamity, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said today (Dec 30, 2004).

"Such an authority will spell out what emergency relief and rehabilitation measures should be taken at State and district level and how funds should be released," he said after chairing a two-hour long meeting of Group of Ministers, which reviewed relief operations in the Tsunami-hit areas.

The Home Minister said special efforts were being taken to provide relief and rehabilitation measures in scattered islands of Nicobar.

Asked whether the Government was considering an amendment in the Constitution to deal with natural calamities. Patil said, "In case the issue has not figured in the Union, State or Concurrent lists of the Constitution, then the Centre has the authority to act. There is no need for an amendment to the Constitution.