Proposed Amendments to Disaster Management Act, 2005
- 07 Aug 2024
In August 2024, the government introduced a Bill in Parliament to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, aiming to enhance operational efficiencies in disaster response.
Proposed Amendments
- Expansion of NDMA’s Role: The Bill proposes significant changes to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), enhancing its role in guiding state governments and central organs in disaster management.
- Urban Disaster Management Authorities: The Bill introduces Urban Disaster Management Authorities in large metropolitan areas, state capitals, and cities with municipal corporations, headed by municipal commissioners to address city-level disasters.
- State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs): It mandates all states to establish and maintain SDRFs, ensuring uniformity in disaster response capabilities.
- National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC): The NCMC, led by the Cabinet Secretary, will be granted legal status as the primary body for managing national emergencies with serious ramifications.
- Enhanced NDMA Role: NDMA’s responsibilities will include assessing disaster risks and creating a national disaster database with information on disaster assessments, funding, and preparedness.
- Disaster Compensation Guidelines: NDMA will recommend minimum relief standards, including compensation for loss of life, property, and livelihoods.
- Definition of Man-Made Disasters: The Bill clarifies that "man-made causes" do not include law-and-order situations, excluding riots from the Act’s provisions.
- Vice-Chairperson Position: The Bill formalizes the role of a vice-chairperson for NDMA, currently vacant for a decade, by allowing the chairperson or vice-chairperson to designate a member for day-to-day operations.
