|
GS Paper III: Disaster Management, Environmental Pollution, and Degradation |
Why in News?
Recently, Parliament passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024. The bill aims to improve the functioning of national and state disaster management authorities. It will help states handle disasters more effectively.
Key Features of Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024
- Formation of Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA): The bill provides for setting up a separate UDMA in state capitals and cities with municipal corporations. This will help manage urban disaster risks more effectively. However, Delhi and Chandigarh are excluded from this provision.
- Formation of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF): The bill empowers state governments to create an SDRF. The state government will define the roles and service conditions of its members. This force will ensure a quick response during disasters.
- Disaster Management Plans: Under the amendment, NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) will prepare disaster management plans.
- Earlier, this responsibility was with the National and State Executive Committees.
- Creation of Disaster Database: The bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive disaster database at the national and state levels. This database will include risk assessment, fund allocation, expenditure management, disaster preparedness, and risk registers.
- Assessment of Disaster Risks: NDMA and SDMA are now required to periodically assess disaster risks. This includes new risks like climate change and extreme weather events. It will help in early prediction and damage reduction.
- Technical Support and Guidelines: NDMA and SDMA will provide technical support to their subordinate bodies. They will also issue guidelines for minimum standards of relief and rehabilitation. NDMA can make rules under the Act with prior approval from the central government.
- Statutory Status for Committees: The bill gives statutory status to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the High-Level Committee (HLC). NCMC will act as the nodal body for handling major national-level disasters. HLC will provide financial aid to states during disasters.
- Provisions for Appointments: NDMA can appoint officers, employees, experts, and consultants with prior central government approval.
Disaster Management Act 2005
|
Objective of Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024
- Strengthening Institutional Structures: The bill aims to make disaster management bodies at national and sub-national levels more accountable and clear. This will improve disaster management processes and ensure quick decisions during emergencies.
- Improving Disaster Risk Assessment: The bill focuses on assessing new risks caused by climate change and other emerging threats. With increasing extreme weather events, a proactive approach is needed. The amendment will help institutions identify new risks and plan better.
- Better Decentralization: States faced structural challenges while implementing the 2005 Act. This amendment gives more power and resources to states. It ensures autonomy for better local-level decision-making in disaster management.
- Financial Resource Management: The bill improves the availability and use of financial resources for disaster management. It emphasizes transparency in the use of funds like NDRF (National Disaster Response Fund) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund). This will make relief operations smoother.
- Integration of Data and Technology: The bill focuses on strengthening the role of data and technology in disaster management. It proposes a comprehensive disaster database. This will help track early warnings, financial spending, preparedness, and risk assessment in real time.
Major Issues with Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024
- Concerns of Centralization: The bill gives wide powers to the central government for making rules. This may weaken the federal structure and reduce state autonomy. Centralized decision-making may delay relief operations.
- Lack of Financial Decentralization: The formation of Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMA) will need funds for equipment and operations. Financial centralization may lead to a shortage of resources. This may affect disaster management, especially in financially weaker cities.
- Encroachment on State Powers: The bill may limit the role of states in disaster planning and using financial resources. Experts believe this increases the central government’s control over states. It may cause confusion and delays in decision-making.
- Coordination Issues in Urban Disaster Management: The bill proposes setting up UDMA in urban areas. However, there are concerns about the limited capacity of urban local bodies (ULBs). In smaller cities, municipal commissioners are junior to district collectors. This may lead to coordination problems. A lack of resources may also affect UDMA’s effectiveness.
- Limited Scope: The bill does not expand the definition of disasters. Events like heatwaves and other climate-related disasters are not included. Ignoring such risks may weaken the overall disaster management system.
- Constitutional Issues: The bill is introduced under Entry 23 of the Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule. This entry deals with “Social security and insurance, employment, and unemployment.” However, disaster management is not explicitly mentioned.
Important Initiatives in Disaster Management
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): DRR focuses on preventing new disasters, reducing existing risks, and managing leftover risks. Better land-use planning, flood-resistant structures, and climate awareness are key objectives.
- Early Warning System: An early warning system provides timely information about upcoming disasters. This gives people time to move to safety and start rescue efforts. Geographic-based mobile alerts and radar technology help warn about storms, floods, and earthquakes.
- Capacity Building: Capacity building is essential for long-term success in disaster management. It involves training local communities, disaster volunteer groups (Aapda Mitra), and government agencies. Disaster drills, search and rescue missions, and awareness programs improve quick response during emergencies.
|
UPSC Previous Years’ Questions (PYQs) Question (2020): Discuss the innovative measures initiated by the Government of India to shift from a reactive approach to a proactive approach in disaster management. Question (2016): In the context of the recommendations made by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the measures to mitigate the impact of recent cloudburst incidents in various parts of Uttarakhand. |
Explore our Books: https://apnipathshala.com/product-category/books/
Explore Our test Series: https://tests.apnipathshala.com/
