Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024

Recently, the Parliament passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024, with Rajya Sabha approving the legislation by a voice vote.

The bill, which aims to enhance the efficiency of national and state disaster management authorities, was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha on 1 December.

Key changes in Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 compared to the Disaster Management Act, 2005

Aspect	Disaster Management Act, 2005	Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Preparation of Disaster Management Plans	Prepared by National/State Executive Committees (NEC/SEC) and approved by NDMA/SDMA.	Directly prepared by NDMA/SDMA (removes NEC/SEC’s role in drafting plans).
Additional Functions of NDMA/SDMA	Limited functions (e.g., reviewing plans, setting guidelines, recommending funds).	Expanded functions: – Assessing disaster risks (including climate-related risks). – Providing technical assistance. – Recommending relief standards. – Preparing national/state disaster databases (type/severity of risks, fund allocation, mitigation plans). – NDMA to conduct post-disaster audits and assess state preparedness.
Urban Disaster Management Authorities	No provision for urban-specific authorities.	Empowers states to create Urban Disaster Management Authorities for: – State capitals. – Cities with municipal corporations. – Headed by Municipal Commissioner + District Collector.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)	Only the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) existed.	Allows states to constitute SDRF with defined functions and service terms.
Statutory Status to Committees	No statutory status for NCMC or HLC.	Grants statutory status to: – National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC): Nodal body for major disasters. – High-Level Committee (HLC): Approves financial aid to states from National Disaster Mitigation Fund.
Regulatory Powers of NDMA	Central government appointed officers/employees for NDMA.	NDMA can specify its own staffing (with central approval) and appoint experts/consultants.
Funding & Financial Oversight	National/State Disaster Response Funds (NDRF/SDRF) existed.	HLC formalized to oversee financial assistance and mitigation fund allocation.

Disaster Management Act 2005

Enacted in the aftermath of the devastating 2004 tsunami.
Three-tier structure for disaster management.
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Headed by the Prime Minister, responsible for formulating policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management at the national level.
- State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs): Headed by the Chief Ministers, responsible for disaster management at the state level.
- District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs): Led by the District Magistrate, responsible for implementing disaster management plans at the district level.
The Act mandates the preparation of disaster management plans at national, state, and district levels.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): Establishes NDRF for specialized response to disasters, including search and rescue operations, medical aid, and relief distribution.
Funding Mechanisms: Provides for the creation of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) to finance relief and response measures.
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): Act established NIDM for disaster-related research, training, awareness, and capacity building.

Also Read
UPSC Daily Editorials	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs Quiz	Daily Main Answer Writing
Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store	UPSC Test Series
Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store	Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store