Urban Shields and State Safeguards: Decoding India's Disaster Management 2.0

In a major legislative development, both houses of Parliament have passed amendments to the Disaster Management Act, 2024. The bill, which aims to strengthen the effective functioning of national and state disaster management authorities, was passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, after being cleared in the Lok Sabha last December. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the amendments will help states prepare better for handling disasters. The bill provides roles and responsibilities to the entities which will be involved in disaster management, which will help to improve coordination and uniform response. Notable amendments include the establishment of a national and state database, and allowing states to set up Urban Disaster Management Authorities and State Disaster Response Forces. 

Shah emphasized that there would be no centralization of power in disaster management and no discrimination against the states. Areas for amendments also include more accountability, transparency and preparing for the new challenges associated with climate change.

Source: The Tribune