Parliament Question: Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 284 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025/ ASHADHA 31, 1947 (SAKA) DISASTER MANAGEMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024

284. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to increase transparency, accountability, efficiency and cooperation in disaster management;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the total strength of the active National Disaster Response Force (NDRF);

(d) whether the Government has taken steps to streamline cooperation and coordination between the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs); and

(e) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 has been passed by the Parliament and got assent of the President on 29.03.2025.

The provisions of the Act came into force w.e.f. 09.04.2025. The Act, inter- alia, aims to:--2- L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025

(i) bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of Authorities and Committees working in the field of disaster management;

(ii) provide statutory status to certain pre-Act organizations like the National Crisis Management Committee and the High Level Committee;

(iii) strengthen the efficient working of the National Disaster Management Authority and the State Disaster Management Authorities;

(iv) empower the National Disaster Management Authority and the State Disaster Management Authorities to prepare the disaster plan at national level and State level instead of the National Executive Committee and the State Executive Committee.

(v) provide for creation of disaster data base at national and State level;

(vi) make provision for constitution of “Urban Disaster Management Authority” for State Capital and large cities having Municipal Corporation; and-3- L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025

(vii) make enabling provision for constitution of “State Disaster Response Force” by the State Government.

The above measures are aimed to increase transparency, accountability, efficiency and cooperation in the disaster management.

(c): There are 16 operational battalions in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and their total sanctioned strength is 18,581.

(d) & (e): The primary responsibility of undertaking rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the event of a natural disaster rests with the State Governments concerned. The Central Government, wherever required, supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing logistics and financial support in cases of natural disasters of severe nature and beyond coping capacity of the State resources.

For better coordination and synergy between National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) and to provide multiplier effects towards relief and rehabilitation during natural disasters, major steps taken by the Government are as under:

i. NDRF organizes annual conference of SDRF including other stakeholders concerned. The conference provides an opportunity to-4- L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025 share best practices to improve the response capabilities through mutual cooperation/ coordination in case of any disaster. Since last two years, this Conference is being conducted jointly with Relief Commissioners’ Conference by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in collaboration with NDRF to review the status of preparedness to deal with disaster or impending disaster situation before South-West Monsoon.

ii. NDRF regularly conducts mock drills/ exercises involving SDRF and other stakeholders. These mock drills/ exercises provide platform for effective coordination between NDRF and SDRF. iii. NDRF is relentlessly engaged in community capacity building and public awareness and preparedness programmes.

iv. NDRF renders necessary assistance for capacity building of the SDRF. v. The Government of India has also established a premium institute i.e.

NDRF Academy at Nagpur to impart training to NDRF personnel and other stakeholders, including SDRF. Besides, NDRF Battalions are also imparting training to SDRF personnel in various disaster management courses.-5- L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025 vi. In the wake of disaster/ impending disaster situation, NDRF officials also participate in the coordination meetings organized by the State Governments/local administration.

vii. NDRF organized a National Capacity Building competition for SDRFs to enhance their preparedness and efficiency in handling collapsed structure emergencies wherein total 30 teams of 29 States/UTs participated. Final of the competition was conducted from 21st to 24th April, 2025 at 08th BN NDRF, Ghaziabad, UP.

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