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.
Disaster Management Act, 2005
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