Institutional Framework for Disaster Management in India (Analysis)

P.C. - RESEARCHGATE

Disaster management in India has evolved from an activity-based reactive setup to a proactive institutionalized structure and from a relief based approach to a ‘multi-dimensional pro-active holistic approach for reducing risk’. 

The current institutional framework is characterized by following mechanisms: 

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): 

• The National Disaster Management Act, 2005 Act provides for the setting up of NDMA at national level, and, the SDMA at the state level and the DDMAs at the district level. 
• NDMA is the apex body for disaster management, which has the responsibility for laying down the policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management. The guidelines of NDMA assist the Central Ministries, Departments, and States to formulate their respective Disaster Management (DM) plans.

 National Executive Committee (NEC): 

• It acts as the coordinating and monitoring body for  disaster management. The NEC may give directions to the relevant Ministries/Departments of the Centre, the State Governments, and the State Authorities regarding measures to be taken by them in response to any specific threatening disaster situation or disaster as per needs of the State.

National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR):

• A multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) was constituted to include stakeholders including people representing different interests in the field of disaster management apart from centre and state governments.

 National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM):

• It is the nodal agency responsible for human resource development, capacity building, training, research, documentation and policy advocacy in the field of disaster management.

 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): 

• The NDRF is a specialist response force that can be deployed in a threatening disaster situation or disaster.

 The National Disaster Management Plan, 2016:

• It provides a framework and direction to the  government agencies for all phases of the disaster management cycle. It provides for a comprehensive plan for different hazards with role and function clarity of all authorities involved.

Similar structures exist at the State and District level for tackling disaster managements. These include State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), State Executive Committee and District  Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

Need of the hour is to ensure effective functioning of these mechanisms by overcoming their various shortcomings like hierarchical, bureaucratic, command and control, 'top down', approach that gives the central, state, and district authorities sweeping powers. 

 Going forward, 

• India can also work on institutionalizing mechanisms for community based disaster, management, disaster resilient infrastructure etc. Further, issues like having no concrete plan or policy for anticipating requirements and mobilization of funds, lack of trained manpower need to be resolved for the purpose of effective disaster management.