The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha aims to strengthen the working of disaster management authorities at the national and state levels. However, the bill faced opposition from members of the opposition who questioned its constitutionality. Congress MP Manish Tewari raised concerns about the lack of specific entries in the Constitution related to disaster management, suggesting that the Centre should amend the concurrent list to address this issue.
Tewari emphasized the importance of properly defining the legislative power of the law, stating that any law based on „derived legislative power“ may not be constitutionally sound. He also pointed out that the rule-making power of the Centre as provided in the bill could potentially encroach on the powers of the states. Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Ray expressed concerns about the potential confusion that could arise from the multiplicity of authorities proposed in the bill.
Despite the opposition, the bill was introduced in the Lower House of Parliament by a voice vote. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai defended the bill, stating that there is no interference in the rights of the states and that disaster management is primarily the responsibility of the states.
The main purpose of the 2005 Disaster Management Act, which the bill seeks to amend, was to establish institutional mechanisms for developing and monitoring disaster management plans. The proposed amendments aim to mainstream disaster management in development plans and incorporate learnings from past disasters. The bill seeks to bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of authorities and committees working in the field of disaster management.
Additionally, the bill provides statutory status to pre-Act organizations such as the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee. It also aims to strengthen the efficient functioning of the National Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Management Authorities.
In conclusion, the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill represents a significant step towards enhancing disaster management capabilities at both the national and state levels. While facing opposition from some members of the opposition, the bill seeks to address key issues and improve coordination among various disaster management authorities. It is essential for the government to address concerns raised by the opposition and ensure that the bill is in line with constitutional principles while effectively enhancing disaster management efforts in the country.