Disaster Management Bill passed, enhancing accountability and authority

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Parliament on Tuesday. The bill received support through a voice vote. Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the legislation will not centralize power or discriminate against states when responding to disasters. While discussing the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Shah criticized the Congress party for its previous management of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. He claimed there was a lack of accountability and transparency during that time. The bill aims to strengthen the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) by allowing them to create disaster plans and giving official recognition to organizations like the National Crisis Management Committee. Shah introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha in August 2024, and it was passed in December. He stated that the amendments would promote transparency and accountability in disaster management. The changes, he said, shift the approach from a reactive response to a proactive and innovative one. Some opposition members have raised concerns that the bill gives too much power to the central government. They argue it overlaps with the states’ authority and could lead to greater centralization. Additionally, they have called for disasters caused by climate change, like heatwaves, to be included in the legislation's definition of "disaster." During the discussions, lawmakers stressed the need for a dedicated disaster relief budget for states like Bihar, which are frequently affected by natural disasters. Others pointed out that the amendment could limit the effectiveness of disaster response by centralizing control over funding. They warned that this could lead to delays and conflicts during emergencies.