National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

NDMA is an apex body for Disaster Management in India. It was established through the Disaster Management Act on 23 December 2005. Its Chairperson is the Prime Minister. It also works closely with the National Institute of Disaster Management for capacity building.

NDMA Functions

• Lay down policies for Disaster Management.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects.
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation.
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters.
• Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations.

Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Bill Introduced and tabled in Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
• Bill seeks to create a “disaster database at national and State level” and makes provision for constitution of “Urban Disaster Management Authority” for State capitals and large cities having municipal corporations, except the Union Territories of Delhi and Chandigarh.
• The database will include disaster assessment, fund allocation detail, expenditure, preparedness and mitigation plan, risk register according to type and severity of risk, and such other relevant matters, in accordance with such policy, as may be determined by the Union government.
• Bill empowers the National Disaster Management Authority and the State Disaster Management Authorities to prepare the disaster plan at national level and State level, respectively instead of the plans made by National Executive Committee and the State Executive Committees earlier.
• NDMA may also appoint experts and consultants as necessary to perform its functions.

Challenges

• Opposition members opposed the Bill as it creates several authorities and also encroaches upon the functions of the State governments.