Brief Context
Parliament has passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Source Content
Syllabus: GS3/Disaster Management
Context
- Parliament has passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024.
About
- The Bill amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- The DM Act establishes:
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
- State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA),
- and the District Disaster Management Authority.
- These authorities are responsible for disaster management at the national, state, and district level, respectively.
Key Highlights of the Bill
- Preparation of disaster management plans: The Bill provides that NDMA and SDMA will prepare disaster management plans, which was earlier prepared by the National a State Executive Committee.
- Functions of NDMA and SDMA: The Bill adds these functions:
- taking periodic stock of disaster risks, including emerging risks from extreme climate events,
- providing technical assistance to authorities below them,
- recommending guidelines for minimum standards of relief,
- and preparing national and state disaster databases, respectively.
- The Bill also empowers NDMA to make regulations under the Act with prior approval of the central government.
- Disaster Database: The Bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive disaster database at both national and state levels.
- Urban Disaster Management Authorities: It empowers the state government to constitute a separate Urban Disaster Management Authority for state capitals and cities with a municipal corporation.
- Formation of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF): The Bill empowers the state government to constitute a SDRF.
- The state government will define the functions of SDRF and prescribe the terms of service for its members.
- Statutory status to existing committees: The Bill provides statutory status to existing bodies such as the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the High Level Committee (HLC).
- The NCMC will function as the nodal body for dealing with major disasters with serious or national ramifications.
- The HLC will provide financial assistance to state governments during disasters.
- Appointments to NDMA: It empowers NDMA to specify the number and category of officers and employees, with previous approval of the central government.
- NDMA may also appoint experts and consultants as necessary.
Concerns Raised:
- Several opposition members argued that the amendments could centralize power and undermine the autonomy of state governments.
- The Bill also gives more powers to a new authority, the Urban Disaster Management Authority, over the already existing District Disaster Management Authority.
Conclusion
- The amendments were needed to tackle the new kinds of disasters emerging in the wake of global warming and climate change.
- As per the government, to address these problems in an effective manner, we have to strengthen our institutions and make them accountable.
Source: IE