DISASTER MANAGEMENT BILL 2024 (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: Union Minister of State introduced the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha.

Disaster Management Bill 2024

• Creation of Disaster Database: The Bill seeks to create a “disaster database at national and State level” and establishes the “Urban Disaster Management Authority” for State capitals and large cities with municipal corporations, excluding Delhi and Chandigarh.
• Definition of Disaster Management: The term “disaster management” includes “disaster risk reduction,” which involves efforts to reduce disaster risk by analyzing and managing causes, reducing exposure to hazards, and improving preparedness and resilience.
• Introduced: Under Entry 23 in the Concurrent List and the Bill followed a report by a task force in 2013.
• Database Contents: The database will include details on disaster assessment, fund allocation, expenditure, preparedness and mitigation plans, risk register by type and severity, and other relevant matters as determined by the Central government.
• Empowerment of NDMA and SDMA: The Bill empowers the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) to prepare disaster plans at national and State levels, replacing the plans made by the National Executive Committee and State Executive Committees.
• Appointment of Experts: The NDMA may appoint experts and consultants as necessary to fulfill its functions.
• Monitoring Emerging Risks: The Bill grants the NDMA the authority to periodically assess all disaster risks, including emerging risks due to extreme climate events and other factors.
• Statutory Status for Pre-Act Organisations: The Bill provides statutory status to pre-Act organisations like the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee.
• Clarification of Roles: The Bill aims to clarify and unify the roles of authorities and committees involved in disaster management and provides for the establishment of a “State Disaster Response Force” by the State government.
• New Section 60A: The Bill introduces Section 60A, empowering Central and State governments to direct individuals to take or refrain from certain actions to mitigate disaster impacts, with a penalty not exceeding ₹10,000 for non-compliance.