Question 541
In March 2025, the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha. This bill seeks to amend which of the following Acts?
- AOption (a)
The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897
- BOption (b)
The Disaster Management Act, 2005
- COption (c)
The Environmental Protection Act, 1986
- DOption (d)
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
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Correct answer
The Disaster Management Act, 2005
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is The Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Key Points
- The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 1, 2024, and subsequently passed in March 2025 to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- The primary objective of the amendment is to bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of various authorities working in the field of disaster management at the National and State levels.
- One of the significant features of the Bill is the establishment of a National Disaster Database, which will be maintained at the national level to store critical information related to disaster risks and mitigation.
- The Bill provides for the constitution of Urban Disaster Management Authorities in state capitals and large cities with Municipal Corporations, acknowledging the unique challenges of urban flooding and infrastructure risks.
- It grants statutory recognition to existing bodies such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), formalizing their roles and responsibilities within the legal framework.
- The amendment empowers the Central Government to make regulations concerning the Disaster Management framework, ensuring a more flexible and responsive system to modern-day calamities. Hence, the correct answer is The Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Additional Information
- Disaster Management Act, 2005:
- This Act was enacted by the Parliament of India on December 23, 2005, following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
- It established a three-tier structure: the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the center, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) at the state level, and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) at the district level.
- The Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the NDMA, while the Chief Ministers lead the respective SDMAs.
- Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897:
- This is a colonial-era law meant to provide for the better prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic diseases. It was widely invoked during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
- Environmental Protection Act, 1986:
- Enacted in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, this Act empowers the Central Government to protect and improve environmental quality and control pollution.
- National Green Tribunal Act, 2010:
- This Act enabled the creation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests.
Important Points
- Key Revisions in 2024 Bill:
- The 2024 Bill seeks to address the "overlapping" of functions between the NDMA and various ministries, ensuring that the National Plan is more comprehensive.
- It introduces provisions for financial penalties for individuals or organizations that fail to comply with the directions issued by the Central or State Governments regarding disaster management.
- The creation of the National Disaster Database is expected to help in evidence-based decision-making by tracking the allocation and utilization of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund.