The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 1, 2024.  The Bill amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005.  The Act establishes: (i) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), (ii) State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), and (iii) District Disaster Management Authority.  These authorities are responsible for disaster management at the national, state, and district level, respectively. 

Preparation of disaster management plans: The Act provides for constitution of a National Executive Committee and a State Executive Committee to assist NDMA and SDMA in performing their functions.  A key function of these Committees is preparing national and state disaster management plans, respectively.  NDMA and SDMA approve the respective plans and coordinate their implementation.  The Bill instead provides that NDMA and SDMA will prepare disaster management plans.

Functions of NDMA and SDMA:  Under the Act, key functions of NDMA and SDMA at their respective levels include: (i) reviewing the disaster management plans of government departments, (ii) setting guidelines for preparation of disaster management plans for authorities below them, and (iii) recommending provision of funds for disaster mitigation.  The Bill adds certain functions for these authorities at their respective levels.  These include: (i) taking periodic stock of disaster risks, including emerging risks from extreme climate events, (ii) providing technical assistance to authorities below them, (iii) recommending guidelines for minimum standards of relief, and (iv) preparing national and state disaster databases, respectively.  The databases will contain information on: (i) the type and severity of disaster risks, (ii) allocation of funds and expenditure, and (iii) disaster preparedness and mitigation plans.  Functions of NDMA will also include: (i) assessing disaster preparedness of states, and (ii) undertaking post-disaster audit of preparedness and response.

The Bill also empowers NDMA to make regulations under the Act with prior approval of the central government.

Urban Disaster Management Authorities:  The Bill empowers the state government to constitute a separate Urban Disaster Management Authority for state capitals and cities with a municipal corporation.  The Urban Authority will comprise the Municipal Commissioner as the chairperson, the District Collector as the vice chairperson, and other members specified by the state government.  It will prepare and implement the disaster management plan for the area under it.

Formation of State Disaster Response Force: The Act provides for constitution of a National Disaster Response Force for specialist response to disaster situations.  The Bill empowers the state government to constitute a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).  The state government will define the functions of SDRF and prescribe the terms of service for its members.

Statutory status to existing committees: The Bill provides statutory status to existing bodies such as the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the High Level Committee (HLC).  The NCMC will function as the nodal body for dealing with major disasters with serious or national ramifications.  The HLC will provide financial assistance to state governments during disasters.  It will approve financial assistance from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.  The Cabinet Secretary will serve as the chairperson of NCMC.  Minister of the department with administrative control over disaster management will serve as chairperson of the HLC.

Appointments to NDMA:  The Act provides that the central government will provide NDMA with officers, consultants, and employees, as it considers necessary.  The Bill instead empowers NDMA to specify the number and category of officers and employees, with previous approval of the central government. NDMA may also appoint experts and consultants as necessary.