• Parliament passed amendments to the Disaster Management Act, 2024 on March 25.

• Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that there will be no centralisation of powers or discrimination with states in handling disasters.

• The amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in December 2024.

• It was cleared by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha.

Why the govt brings in amendments?

• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 was enacted to provide for the  effective management of disasters and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

• The main purpose of the Act was to put in place necessary institutional mechanisms for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of government for prevention of and mitigating the effects of disasters and for undertaking a holistic, coordinated and prompt response to any disaster or threatening disaster situation.

• Due to the constant endeavour of the central government for mainstreaming the disaster management in the development plans, aligning with the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, learnings from past disasters, and experience gained during the implementation of the Act, the Disaster Management Act, 2005 has been reviewed in consultation with all stakeholders including state governments.

The amendment Bill aims to:

i) To bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of authorities and committees working in the field of disaster management.

ii) To provide statutory status to certain pre-Act organisations like the National Crisis Management Committee and the High Level Committee.

iii) To strengthen the efficient working of the National Disaster Management Authority and the State Disaster Management Authorities.

iv) To empower the National Disaster Management Authority and the State Disaster Management Authorities to prepare the disaster plan at national level and state level instead of the National Executive Committee 

and the State Executive Committee.

v) To provide for creation of disaster database at national and state level.

vi) To make provision for constitution of Urban Disaster Management Authority for state capital and large cities having municipal corporation. 

vii) To make provision for constitution of State Disaster Response Force by state government.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)