The Supreme Court of India has directed the Centre to frame a policy on disaster management, including the provision of compensation to victims of disasters. Background: The case began when a public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court, seeking directions to the Centre to frame a policy on disaster management. Parties: The petitioners, including a non-governmental organization and an individual, argued that the Centre had failed to frame a policy on disaster management, despite the occurrence of several disasters in the country. The respondents, including the Centre and the National Disaster Management Authority, argued that a policy on disaster management was already in place and that the Centre was taking steps to mitigate the effects of disasters. Legal issues: The main legal issue in the case was whether the Centre had failed to frame a policy on disaster management. The court also examined the issue of whether the Centre had taken adequate steps to mitigate the effects of disasters. Court observations: The Supreme Court observed that the Centre had failed to frame a comprehensive policy on disaster management, despite the occurrence of several disasters in the country. The court also observed that the Centre had failed to provide adequate compensation to victims of disasters. Significance: The judgment is significant as it emphasizes the need for a comprehensive policy on disaster management, including the provision of compensation to victims of disasters. The judgment also highlights the importance of the Supreme Court in ensuring that the government takes steps to mitigate the effects of disasters.