Issues with the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions/ Disaster Management/ Geography

Source: TH

Context: The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced on August 1, 2024, seeks to centralize disaster management, undermining cooperative federalism. It adds layers of bureaucracy, complicating disaster response and exacerbating delays, as seen in past disasters like those in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Aim of the Bill: The Bill aims to introduce changes for effective pre-planning of disaster events, integration of disaster preparedness in developmental plans, and give clarity of roles and responsibilities to the authorities handling disasters (aligning with recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission)

Key Features of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024:

Feature | Description

Creation of Disaster Database | Establishes a disaster database at national and state levels, including disaster assessments, fund allocation, expenditure, preparedness and mitigation plans, and risk registers.

Prepare Disaster Plan | Empowers NDMA and SDMA to prepare disaster plans, replacing the National Executive Committee and State Executive Committees. Plans must be reviewed every three years and updated every five years.

Creation of Urban Disaster Management Authority | Proposes the creation of Urban Disaster Management Authorities for state capitals and large cities with municipal corporations (excluding Delhi and Chandigarh).

Statutory Recognition | Grants statutory status to the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee.

State Disaster Response Force | Allows state governments to form State Disaster Response Forces to enhance state-level disaster response.

New Section 60A | Empowers Central and State governments to direct individuals on disaster management actions and impose penalties up to ₹10,000 for non-compliance.

How Measures in the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Will Help in Disaster Management?

• Enhanced Disaster Database: Provides detailed data on disaster assessments and risk, such as tracking the impact of floods in Bihar or cyclones in Odisha, aiding better planning and response.

• Urban Disaster Authorities: Creates dedicated authorities in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, improving response to urban crises such as building collapses or air pollution emergencies.

• Revised Disaster Planning: NDMA and SDMAs can develop more integrated plans, as seen in coordinated responses to the 2023 Gujarat earthquake, enhancing efficiency and coverage.

• Statutory Recognition: Strengthens bodies like the National Crisis Management Committee, leading to improved coordination in large-scale disasters such as the 2019 Kerala floods.

• State Disaster Response Force: Empowers states to form specialized forces, like the proposed response team in West Bengal for riverbank erosion, improving local readiness and response.

• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Ensures adherence to disaster management protocols, for instance, enforcing building safety standards to prevent disasters similar to the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.

Key issues with the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024:

• Increased Centralization: Over-centralizes decision-making, which could delay disaster relief and complicate coordination.

• Bureaucratic Complexities: Adds multiple layers of governance, potentially creating confusion between national, state, and local bodies.

• Leadership Conflicts: The power imbalance between municipal commissioners and district collectors could hinder disaster management coordination.

• Financial Constraints: Lack of financial resources for urban local bodies (ULBs) to effectively manage disaster preparedness and mitigation.

• Dependence on Central Funds: Limited clarity on access to the National Disaster Mitigation Fund, undermining local financial autonomy.

• Exclusion of Major Cities: Delhi and Chandigarh are excluded from the UDMA (Urban Disaster Management Authority) framework, leading to potential coordination gaps.

• Urban Bias: Focuses primarily on urban areas, potentially neglecting rural disaster management needs.

• Challenges with UDMA Expansion: Potential difficulties in staffing and administrative support as more municipal corporations are included in UDMA.

Disaster Management Act, 2005: Key Features

Feature | Description

3-Tier Institutional Structure | National Level: NDMA, led by the Prime Minister. State Level: SDMAs, headed by Chief Ministers. District Level: DDMAs, led by District Collectors, Magistrates, or Deputy Commissioners.

National Disaster Response Force | Established for specialist response to disaster situations.

National Disaster Response Fund | Created to fund and manage response efforts during threatening disaster situations.

Conclusion:

Though the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduces essential reforms aimed at improving preparedness in urban areas, its success will depend on addressing leadership coordination, financial empowerment, and the efficient allocation of resources to local bodies. Without resolving these concerns, the noble intentions of the Bill may not fully translate into effective disaster management across India’s rapidly urbanizing landscape.

Insta Links:

National Disaster Management Act, 2005