Write about The Disaster Management Act, 2005

About the Disaster Management Act, 2005

  • The DM Act’s stated mission and purpose are to manage disasters, which includes preparing mitigation strategies, capacity-building, and other activities.
  • In India, it went into effect in January 2006.
  • The Act calls for “effective catastrophe management, as well as matters connected with or ancillary thereto.”
  • The Act establishes the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which would be chaired by India’s Prime Minister.
  • The Act enjoins the Central Government to Constitute a National Executive Committee (NEC) to assist the National Authority.
  • All-State Governments are mandated to establish a State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).

Powers are given to the Centre

  • The power bestowed by DM Act on Central Government and NDMA are extensive.
  • The Central Government, irrespective of any law in force (including over-riding powers) can issue any directions to any authority anywhere in India to facilitate or assist in disaster management.
  • Importantly, any such directions issued by Central Government and NDMA must necessarily be followed by the Union Ministries, State Governments and State Disaster Management Authorities.
  • In order to achieve all these, the prime minister can exercise all powers of NDMA (S 6(3)).
  • This ensures that there is adequate political and constitutional heft behind the decisions made.

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