ADVERTISEMENTS:
In this article we will discuss about the institutional framework of Disaster Management in India.
1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
The Disaster Management ACT, 2005 provides for setting up of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with the Prime Minister as Chairperson. Apart from him there are members whose number shall not exceed nine. One of these can be nominated as Vice-Chairperson of the Authority.
Presently, Sh. M. Shashidhar Reddy, a sitting member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly is the Vice-Chairman of the Authority. NDMA is responsible for laying down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management for ensuring timely and effective response to disaster (as shown in Fig. 6.10)
NDMA is to be assisted by a National Executive Committee which comprises of Secretaries to the Government of India heading various Ministries or Departments having administrative control over Agriculture, Atomic Energy, Defence, drinking water supply, environment and forests, finance, health, power, rural development, science and technology, space, telecommunication, urban development and water resources. Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff of the Chiefs of Staff Committee is also a member of the Executive Committee.
National Executive Committee is responsible for preparing and updating a National Plan for disaster management. The Plan includes measures to be taken for prevention of disasters or the mitigation of their effects; measures to be taken for the integration of mitigation measures in the development plans; measures to be taken for preparedness and capacity building to effectively respond to any threatening disaster situation or disaster; and defining the roles of various departments in respect of these measures
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA):
The Disaster Management Act 2005 also provides for setting up of Stage Disaster Management Authorities under the Chairpersonship of the Chief Minister. State Authority is to be assisted by a State Executive Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Chief Secretary of the State.
The Committee shall prepare a state plan which would include assessment of vulnerability of different parts of the state to different forms of disasters; measures to be adopted for prevention and mitigation of disasters; capacity building; and role of departments of State Government. Apart from the planning aspect it is also involved in taking up and supervising relief and rescue operations at the time of disaster and in disseminating information about any impending disaster.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA):
The structure of disaster management institutions goes down to the district level where the responsibility is given to DDMA which is headed by the Collector/ District Magistrate with elected representative of the local authority as co-chairperson. DDMA will act as the planning, coordinating and implementing body for disaster management at the district level.
It will prepare the District Plan for disaster management in accordance with instructions by NDMA and SDMA. The DDMA will also ensure that the guidelines for prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response measures laid down by the NDMA and the SDMA are followed by all the Departments of the State Government at the District level and the local authorities in the District.
Local Authority:
For the purpose of disaster management, local authorities would include Panchayati Raj institutions and those agencies which control and manage civic services. These bodies are required to ensure capacity building of their employees for managing disasters and carrying out relief and reconstruction activities in the affected areas.
2. National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM):
Capacity building is an important aspect of disaster management. This requires developing human resources to handle disaster management work and undertake studies and research on the subject. Disaster Management Act gives this mandate to the National Institute of Disaster Management.
The institute was formed as National Centre for Disaster Management (NCDM) in 1995 but was re-designated as National Institute of Disaster Management in 2005 after the enacting of the Disaster Management Act. The institute is headed by the Union Home Minister and Vice-Chairman, NDMA also acts as the Vice-President of the Institute.
Day to day works are looked after by the Executive Director. The institute has five divisions i.e., Geo-Hazard Division; Hydro-Met Hazard Division; Policy Planning and Cross Cutting Issues Division; Response Division; and Administrative and Finance Division.
3. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF):
NDRF was constituted in 2006 with 8 battalions drawn from the paramilitary forces. Presently it has strength of 10 battalions. General superintendence of the force vests in NDMA and the force is headed by the Director General of NDRF and Civil Defence. These battalions are positioned at different locations to provide timely response to disaster situations and are available to State Governments at the time of need.
The force provides specialized response during disasters, is pro-actively deployed in impending disaster situations, imparts training to state disaster response force personnel and conducts programmes for creating awareness and community capacity building.
4. Integrated Data Resource Network (IDRN):
Integrated Data Resource Network is a database in the electronic form maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The data enlists inventory of equipment and human resources relevant to disaster management.
Organizations related with the work update the inventory of equipment, skilled human resources and critical supplies for emergency response. Idea is to make available the information on availability of equipment and human resources required to combat any emergency situation. This database also helps the policy makers to assess the level of preparedness for specific vulnerabilities.
Other Institutional Arrangements:
Cabinet Committee on Management of Natural Calamities (CCMNC) has been constituted to oversee all aspects relating to the management of natural calamities.
National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) was created in 2000-01 by the Govt of India with a corpus fund of Rs.500 crores with an objective of providing assistance to disaster affected states. The fund was replenished with the National Calamity Contingent Duty on certain items such as tobacco products etc., and was operated through a High Level Committee (HLC) which had Finance Minister, as Chairman and the Home Minister, Agriculture Minister and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission as members. Since 2010, this find has been merged with National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) which is also operated by a High Level Committee with similar composition.
Armed forces are called upon to assist the civil administration only when the situation is beyond their coping capability. In practice, however, the armed forces form an important part of the Government’s response capacity and are immediate responders in all serious disaster situations. They have played a major role in emergency support functions like communication, search and rescue operations, medical facilities and transportation.
Central Paramilitary forces also play a key role at the time of immediate response to disasters. Besides contributing to the NDRF, they are also required to develop adequate disaster management capability within their own forces and respond to disasters which may occur in the areas where they are posted.
State Police and Fire Services are crucial immediate responders to disasters are required to improve their response capabilities. Civil Defence Act has been amended in 2009 to bring disaster management in the area of operation of civil defence agencies.
International agencies also play a role in disaster management. UNDP along with NDMA took up Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Urban Risk Reduction programmes. World Bank is associated with National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) being taken up in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Red Cross Society also provides valuable support during relief operations.