| Introduction: Contextual Introduction Body: Highlight challenges faced by states in accessing funds and measures to ensure their timely utilization. Conclusion: Way forward |
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, introduced on August 1, 2024, in the Lok Sabha, has reignited concerns over the centralization of disaster management in India. While the Bill seeks to strengthen the functioning of various disaster management authorities, it also introduces significant challenges, particularly in the context of accessing disaster relief funds.
Challenges Faced by States in Accessing Disaster Relief Funds
- Excessive Central Control: The amendment Bill furthers the centralization of disaster management by providing statutory status to pre-existing central committees, thereby complicating the chain of action during disasters.
- Dilution of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF): The Bill dilutes the purpose of the NDRF by removing specific guidelines for its utilization, making it more challenging for states to access these funds promptly during severe disasters.
- Lack of Financial Devolution: While the Bill proposes the creation of Urban Disaster Management Authorities, it does not ensure the necessary financial devolution to empower these authorities.
- Regional Variability and Gradation: The Act fails to consider the regional variability of disasters. For instance, a temperature that is normal in one region might constitute a heatwave in another, yet the Act’s rigid classification does not account for such local differences.
Measures to Ensure Timely and Adequate Financial Support
- Empowering State Governments: To address the challenges posed by centralization, states should be given greater autonomy in accessing and utilizing disaster relief funds. This can be achieved by creating state-level disaster response funds with fewer central approvals required for their disbursement.
- Adaptive and Flexible Criteria: The criteria for disaster classification and fund allocation should be made more adaptive, considering regional variations and the specific impact of disasters on different geographical areas.
- Simplified and Transparent Procedures: The process of accessing disaster relief funds should be streamlined by reducing bureaucratic layers and making the procedures more transparent.
- Regular Consultations and Feedback Mechanisms: Regular consultations between the central and state governments, along with feedback mechanisms, can help address the concerns of states and improve the overall disaster management framework.
Conclusion
These measures would not only enhance disaster preparedness but also strengthen the overall resilience of the nation to future disasters.
