Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024:

Why in News?  The Union government  has introduced the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha, proposing key changes to the existing Disaster Management Act of 2005, including a new authority for cities.

Key Provisions of the Bill :

• It seeks to make provision for a “State Disaster Response Force” by the State Government, was introduced by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
• It seeks to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which was enacted to provide for the effective management of disasters.
• The objects and reasons of the bill states that the implementation of the Act has been reviewed in consultation with all stakeholders including state governments with the central Government laying thrust for mainstreaming the Disaster Management in the development plans.
• The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of Authorities and Committees working in the field of disaster management, provide statutory status to certain pre-Act organisations like the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee and to empower the National Disaster Management Authority and the State Disaster Management Authorities to prepare the disaster plan at national level and state level instead of the National Executive Committee and the State Executive Committee.
• The bill also seeks to provide for the creation of a disaster database at the national and state level.

Key Provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005

Institutional Framework:

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The Act establishes the NDMA, chaired by the Prime Minister, as the apex body responsible for laying down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management.
• State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA): Each state is required to establish an SDMA, chaired by the Chief Minister, to manage disasters at the state level.
• District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA): Each district is to have a DDMA, chaired by the District Collector or District Magistrate, to manage disasters at the district level.

Plans and Policies:

National Plan: The Act mandates the preparation of a National Plan for disaster management, covering all aspects of disaster risk reduction and response.

State and District Plans: States and districts are required to prepare disaster management plans consistent with the National Plan.

Powers and Functions:

NDMA: The NDMA is empowered to formulate policies, approve plans, and coordinate enforcement and implementation of disaster management policies and plans.

SDMA and DDMA: The SDMA and DDMA have similar roles at the state and district levels, respectively, ensuring effective disaster management within their jurisdictions.

National Executive Committee (NEC):

The NEC, comprising Secretaries to the Government of India, assists the NDMA in the discharge of its functions and ensures compliance with directives issued by the NDMA.