Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025
Why in News?
- Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted its shift from reactive to proactive, innovative disaster management during Rajya Sabha debate. Addresses escalating extreme climate events and improves stakeholder coordination without centralizing powers. Builds on India's global recognition for disaster handling, per government statements.
Passage Timeline
- Lok Sabha passed the bill on December 12, 2024.
- Rajya Sabha cleared it on March 25, 2025, by voice vote after debate.
- Received Presidential assent on March 29, 2025; effective from April 9, 2025.
Key Amendments
- Clarified Definitions: Excludes law/order situations from "man-made disasters"; adds terms like "disaster risk reduction," "hazard," "evacuation," and "exposure".
- Disaster Databases: Mandates NDMA for national and SDMAs for state-level databases on risks, funds, plans, and mitigation.
- Institutional Changes: Grants statutory status to National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC, headed by Cabinet Secretary) and High-Level Committee (HLC) for major disasters and aid.
- Expanded NDMA/SDMA Roles: NDMA assesses all risks (including emerging ones), sets relief standards; SDMAs prepare state plans.
- State Powers: Allows State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs), Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMAs) in metros, disciplinary action on errant officers, and directives to individuals for risk reduction.
- Penalties: Introduces fines/non-compliance measures for ignoring government directives during disasters.
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