The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024

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Context:  Bill to create Urban Disaster Management Authority introduced in Lok Sabha.

 Details

 Key Features of Bill

• Creation of a Disaster Database: The Bill mandates the establishment of a disaster database at both national and state levels to improve data management and analysis, It will include disaster assessments, fund allocation details, expenditure, preparedness and mitigation plans, risk register etc.
• Empowerment of NDMA and SDMAs:It empowers National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to prepare the disaster plan at national level and state level instead of National Executive Committee and State Executive Committee. National plan should be reviewed every three years and updated at least once in every five years.
• Urban Disaster Management Authority:To address the specific challenges of urban areas it proposes the formation of an “Urban Disaster Management Authority” for state capitals and large cities with municipal corporations.
• Periodic Risk Assessment: The NDMA is tasked with periodically assessing the entire range of disaster risks in the country, including emerging risks due to extreme climate events.
• Statutory Status for Organizations:The Bill provides statutory recognition to certain pre-existing organizations, such as the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee.
• National Crisis Management Committee is the nodal body to deal with major disasters and High-Level Committee is for approval of financial assistance.
• State Disaster Response Force: The creation of State Disaster Response Forces will enhance the capacity of states to respond to disasters effectively.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance:It includes provisions allowing the Central and State governments to impose penalties for actions that hinder disaster management efforts, with fines not exceeding ₹10,000.

Criticism

• Opposition members raised concerns that the Bill grants excessive rule-making powers to the Central government.
• Questions were raised regarding the constitutional basis for the Bill, as disaster management is not explicitly mentioned in the subjects of the Concurrent List.
• The Bill suffers from the malady of excessive delegation.
• Oppositions expressed concerns that the creation of multiple authorities could lead to confusion and at the time of natural disasters, this will create bureaucratic hurdles leads to hampering effective disaster response.

Advantages

• This initiative marks a transformative step toward enhancing nation’s capacity for disaster risk reduction and environmental sustainability.
• A comprehensive, centralised disaster database at both national and state levels will significantly improve ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
• The creation of this disaster database will facilitate more efficient resource allocation, better coordination among stakeholders, and timely, informed decision-making during crises.

More: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/disaster-management#:~:text=Disaster%20management%20refers%20to%20the,disasters%20or%20man%2Dmade%20disasters.

 Sources:

The Hindu: Reference link.

Hindustan Times