Parliament Question: Gaps in Disaster Management System

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1384 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9TH DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 18, 1947

(SAKA) GAPS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1384. SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has a long term action plan to address gaps and improve the existing disaster management system, if so, the details thereof, including key gaps in the existing system;

(b) whether the Government has identified any lapses in the disaster response in the aftermath of the natural disasters in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, if so, the details thereof, including action taken to fix accountability;

(c) whether the Government has taken measures to improve coordination between Centre, States and other entities to improve the collective response to natural disasters, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to announce a special relief package for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to strengthen rebuilding efforts, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): The Government has framed a National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) in the year 2009 to build a safe and disaster-resilient India by developing a holistic, practical, multi-disaster oriented and technology driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation,-2- L.S.US.Q.NO. 1384 FOR 09.12.2025 preparedness and response. This is a pan-India policy to strengthen the disaster management system in the country.

The NPDM covers all elements of disaster management including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery. To achieve the aforesaid objectives, a legal and institutional framework have already been created at the Central, State and District levels through the Disaster Management Act, 2005, as amended in March 2025.

Also, Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the country's first National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) in June 2016. The plan had been revised and updated in the year 2019 in consultation with all stakeholders. The revised NDMP brings together all sectors, ministries and departments at the Central and State level as well as district level functionaries and defines their respective roles and responsibilities in disaster risk reduction.

Further, During Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

(AMCDRR) hosted by India in New Delhi in 2016, the Hon’ble Prime Minister announced 10-point agenda on disaster risk reduction (DRR).

Each of 10 points has both national and institutional dimensions. It provides practical guidance and added impetus to implementation of-3- L.S.US.Q.NO. 1384 FOR 09.12.2025 disaster management programme in the country through systematic & sustained efforts. 10-point agenda is available at

https://ndma.gov.in/Governance/PM-10-Agenda However, based on the experience gained during the course of the Act’s implementation, a need was felt to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and accordingly, it was amended in the year 2025. The amendments strengthened the institutional framework, financial mechanisms, urban disaster management and accountability structures which, inter-alia,

includes: a) Strengthened roles of National Disaster Management Authority

(NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) in risk assessment, technical assistance, minimum relief standards, disaster databases, and multi-hazard planning.

b) Statutory status to High-Level Committee (HLC) and National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) for high-impact disaster response and financial assistance. c) Improved functioning of National Executive Committee (NEC), State Executive Committee (SEC) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) as planning and execution arms.-4- L.S.US.Q.NO. 1384 FOR 09.12.2025 d) Made provision for constitution of Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA) in the States for State’s Capitals and all cities having Municipal Corporation.

The measures taken by the Central and State Governments have significantly improved the disaster management practices, preparedness, prevention and response mechanism, resulting in significant reduction in casualties during the natural calamities in the country. Further, strengthening of the disaster management is a continuing and evolving process of governance.

(b) to (d): As per the NPDM, the primary responsibility for disaster management including the disbursal of relief to the affected people and taking mitigation measures at the ground level, rests with the State Governments concerned. However, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments during disaster response for undertaking rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the event of a disaster by providing logistic and financial support in case of calamities of severe nature.-5- L.S.US.Q.NO. 1384 FOR 09.12.2025 The logistic support includes deployment of aircrafts, boats, NDRF, special teams of Armed Forces, and Central Armed Police Forces, arrangements for relief materials and essential commodities including medical stores, restoration of critical infrastructure facilities including communication network and such other assistance as may be required by the affected States/UTs to meet the situation effectively.

In order to improve coordination between Centre, States and other agencies to improve the collective response and bring synergy in their preparedness efforts, the Central Government organizes an Annual Conference of Relief Commissioners/Secretaries to the Department of Disaster Management of States/UTs before the onset of south west monsoon to review the status of preparedness for ensuing Monsoon and to discuss other Disaster Management related issues.

Regarding the financial assistance, it is mentioned that the State Governments provide financial relief to the affected people in the wake of notified disasters, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) already placed at their disposal. However, in the event of disaster of a severe nature, additional financial assistance is extended from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as per the laid down procedure, which-6- L.S.US.Q.NO. 1384 FOR 09.12.2025 includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). Financial assistance under SDRF/ NDRF in the wake of natural disasters is by way of relief of immediate nature and not for compensation of loss as suffered/claimed.

Further, as per the scheme of SDRF/ NDRF, the State Executive Committee constituted under Section 20 of the Disaster management Act, 2005, headed by Chief Secretary of the State is responsible for proper utilization of the funds and to ensure that the money drawn from the SDRF account is actually utilized for the purposes for which it has been set up, only on items of expenditure and as per norms approved by the Government of India. State Accountant General is required to monitor the expenditure as per the items and norms of assistance. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India causes audit of SDRF every year in terms of the scheme of the SDRF.

The Central Government has released funds under SDRF to the States of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand for undertaking relief measures for the disasters occurred during 2025-26, as per details given

here under:-7- L.S.US.Q.NO. 1384 FOR 09.12.2025 (Rs. In Crore) (As on 04.12.2025) Sl. Name of the Allocation of SDRF Central Share No. State Releases from SDRF Central State Total 1st 2nd Share Share Instalment Instalment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1. Himachal

397.60 44.00 441.60 198.80 198.80 Pradesh

2.

Punjab 481.60 160.80 642.40 240.80 240.80

3. Uttarakhand 911.20 100.80 1012.00 455.60 455.60 Further, the Government has constituted/deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to the States of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand for assessing the damage caused by flood/landslide/ cloudburst in these States during 2025-26. Based on the IMCT report, further action is taken for release of funds from NDRF as per the established procedure.

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