The bill attempts to take the fight against disasters from a reactive approach to a proactive one and also beyond to an innovative and a participatory approach.

Key Highlights of the Bill

• Preparation of disaster management plans: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) will prepare disaster management plans.
• Functions of NDMA and SDMA: Adds new functions like periodic review of disaster risks (including extreme climate events), setting guidelines for minimum relief standards, creating national and state disaster databases, etc.
• Appointments to NDMA: Empowers NDMA to specify the number and category of officers and employees, with previous approval of the central government.
• Urban Disaster Management Authorities:  Empowers state governments to constitute a separate authority for state capitals and cities with a municipal corporation.
• State Disaster Response Force (SDRF): Allows state governments to establish SDRF, define its functions, and set service terms for its members. 
• Statutory status to existing committees: Provides statutory status to existing bodies such as the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the High Level Committee (HLC).  
  • NCMC will function as the nodal body for dealing with major disasters with serious or national ramifications.  
  • HLC will provide financial assistance to state governments during disasters.