The notification issued by the Prime Minister secretariat on Monday described the ambit of working of the authority that will work under the seven-member council with Prime Minister as its chairman.
The council will be the apex body to manage and administer the authority and issue general directions on all matters of policy.
The council comprises prime minister as its chairman, AJK prime minister, NWFP chief minister, minister for Kashmir affairs and Northern Areas, advisor to prime minister on finance, planning commission deputy chairman and ERRA chairman as members of the council.
The ERRA headquarters shall be at the Prime Minister's secretariat of which it will be a part, and it may establish its temporary sub-offices at such other place, in the earthquake-affected areas as it may consider appropriate to expedite the recovery, reconstruction, rehabilitation and development work.
The authority shall undertake its operations in affected areas of Pakistan and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir in consultation with its government.
The authority will be responsible for reconstruction, rehabilitation, and development of the earthquake-affected areas.
Towards this end, its functions and duties shall be: surveys to assess damages and needs in earthquake-affected areas, formulation of a comprehensive umbrella development programme to provide for planned settlements, housing, government buildings and offices, utilities and services, infrastructure, health and education facilities, irrigation and agriculture facilities as well as defence requirements.
The authority will also work for environmental rebuilding including cleaning of watersheds, reforestation programmes and other environmental interventions to restore the ecosystems, besides tackling many other important related issues.
To financially support the ERRS, there shall be a fund to be known as the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority Fund, which shall vest in the authority and shall be utilised by the authority to meet charges in connection with its functions.
The fund shall consist of, (a) such sums as the federal government may from time to time allocate to it in the annual budget; (b) grants; (c) all other sums or properties which may in any manner become payable to or vest in the authority.
The authority may engage employees on contract basis and may also requisition services of experts and supporting staff from the government including defence services.
The ERRA has the indemnity and no suit, prosecution, or other legal proceedings shall lie against the authority, the council, the board, chairpersons, or any member, officer, servant, adviser, consultant, expert of the authority in respect of anything done in good faith under this notification.