1.   Disaster Management Amendment Bill, 2024

Current Context : The Lok Sabha has recently passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of disaster management in India by modifying the existing Disaster Management Act of 2005.

Key Features of the Bill :

Empowerment of Authorities:

• Shifts disaster planning responsibilities to NDMA and SDMAs, enhancing their roles in preparedness and risk assessment​

Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMAs):

• Introduces UDMAs for large cities and state capitals to address urban-specific risks, including population density and critical infrastructure​

Disaster Databases:

• Creates national and state-level disaster databases to assist in planning, fund allocation, and mitigation strategies​

State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs):

• Enables states to form specialized forces for decentralized and efficient disaster response​

Statutory Recognition:

• Provides legal backing to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC)and High-Level Committee (HLC) for better disaster oversight​

Penalties for Obstruction:

• Imposes fines (up to ₹10,000) for hindering disaster management efforts.