Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024

Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024: A Comprehensive Overview for UPSC Aspirants

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the Lok Sabha, aims to refine the existing Disaster Management Act, 2005, by addressing gaps and modernizing disaster management practices. This Bill seeks to enhance India’s resilience to disasters, integrating new measures and addressing emerging challenges. Below is an overview of its key features, concerns, and implications.

Key Features of the Amendment Bill

Expanded Role of NDMA and SDMAs:
- Shifts the responsibility for disaster management planning from the National Executive Committee (NEC) and State Executive Committees (SECs) to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
- Introduces functions like periodic disaster risk assessments and preparing national and state disaster databases.
Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMAs):
- Establishes specialized UDMAs for state capitals and large cities (excluding Delhi and Chandigarh) to address urban disaster challenges. Municipal commissioners and district collectors will lead these authorities.
National and State Disaster Databases:
- Creates detailed databases to assess disaster risks, allocate funds, and improve disaster preparedness.
State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs):
- Encourages states to establish their own disaster response forces, complementing the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Statutory Recognition:
- Grants statutory status to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the High-Level Committee (HLC), solidifying their roles in disaster governance.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
- Introduces a penalty of up to ₹10,000 for non-compliance with disaster directives, emphasizing accountability.

Advantages of the Amendment

Streamlined Planning and Response: Consolidating responsibilities under the NDMA ensures a more centralized and systematic approach to disaster management.
Enhanced Urban Focus: The creation of UDMAs addresses the rising vulnerability of urban centers to disasters like floods and earthquakes.
Improved Data Utilization: Comprehensive databases will help policymakers allocate resources effectively and identify high-risk areas.

Concerns and Criticisms

Centralization of Powers:
- Critics argue that further centralizing disaster management may delay response times due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, undermining local expertise
- Inadequate Local Resources:
- UDMAs and SDRFs may face resource and funding challenges, particularly in smaller states, affecting their functionality
Exclusion of Climate Change:
- Despite international agreements like the Sendai Framework and Paris Agreement, the Bill does not adequately integrate climate change impacts into disaster risk reduction strategies
Restricted Definition of Disasters:
- Emerging climate-induced disasters like heatwaves are not covered under the definition of disasters in the Bill
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Relief as a Legal Right:
- The Bill stops short of making disaster relief a legally enforceable right, leaving room for disparity in relief measures

Way Forward

Strengthening Local Capacities: Adequate funding and capacity-building initiatives are essential for the successful implementation of UDMAs and SDRFs.
Climate Adaptation Integration: Addressing climate change within disaster management policies will help mitigate long-term risks.
Balancing Centralization and Decentralization: While central coordination is crucial, empowering local governments ensures a faster and more effective response.

Relevance for UPSC Aspirants

This topic is vital for GS Paper 2 (Polity and Governance) and GS Paper 3 (Disaster Management). Aspirants should focus on:

Comparing the 2005 Act and 2024 Bill.
The impact of centralization on federal dynamics.
India’s adherence to international frameworks like the Sendai Framework.
Case studies of disaster management in India, such as the Kerala floods of 2018.

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Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024