Parliament Passes Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

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