Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 : Passed
The Parliament has passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aiming to strengthen disaster response mechanisms.
Amendments:
- Disaster management plans: NDMA and SDMA will now prepare plans, replacing previous delegation to executive committees.
- Expanded functions of NDMA and SDMA:
- Periodic disaster risk assessments, including climate-related risks.
- Providing technical guidance and minimum relief standards.
- Preparing national and state-level disaster databases.
- Conducting post-disaster audits and assessing state preparedness.
- Urban Disaster Management Authorities:
- To be set up in state capitals and cities with municipal corporations.
- Headed by the Municipal Commissioner with District Collector as Vice-Chairperson.
- State Disaster Response Force (SDRF):
- Empowering states to form SDRFs with defined roles and service conditions.
- Statutory status:
- Given to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the High-Level Committee (HLC) for disaster financial oversight.
- NDMA appointments:
- NDMA can now specify staffing needs and appoint experts with Centre’s approval.
