NEW DELHI: Parliament passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Tuesday with home minister Amit Shah saying there will be no centralisation of power or discrimination with states in handling disasters.
Replying to the debate on the bill in Rajya Sabha, Shah said timely reforms were essential to prevent outdated systems from collapsing. He also launched a sharp attack on Congress’s management of the PM’s Relief Fund, accusing the previous UPA regime of lacking accountability and transparency.
The bill was passed in Lok Sabha in Dec 2024.
On the need for the amendments, Shah said, “Some members asked what is the need for amendment. I want to tell them that if a building is not repaired in time, it collapses. They think that maybe, they will come and change it but nobody’s turn will come for the next 15-20 years. Whatever has to be done, we have to do it. The Disaster Management Act was implemented for the first time in 2005. Under this, NDMA, SDMA and DDMA were formed. Now, concerns are being expressed that there will be centralisation of power. If you read the entire bill carefully, then the biggest responsibility of implementation lies with the District Disaster Management Authority which is under the state govt. Therefore, there is no possibility of harming the federal structure anywhere.”
Shah emphasised that the amendment prioritised shifting from reactive disaster response to proactive risk reduction. He outlined several key measures, including real-time monitoring using AI-based systems instead of manual processes, enhanced communication strategies, moving from traditional radio announcements to digital platforms, mobile alerts and social media notifications. The reforms also aimed to expand disaster response beyond being govt-centric to a multi-dimensional, society-involved approach, he added.
He also underscored India’s significant progress in disaster management, which has earned both national and international recognition. Responding to criticism over India’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shah defended the govt’s actions, and described the country’s response as one of the most effective globally.
He also hit back at the opposition’s allegations of a lack of transparency regarding the PM-Care Fund’s management, clarifying that while the PM’s Relief Fund was created during the UPA era, the PM-Care Fund was established under the NDA govt.
