Congress Claims Disaster Management Bill Undermines Federalism; BJP Responds
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Synopsis
The Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024, introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has sparked intense debate in the Rajya Sabha. Congress argues it undermines federalism, while BJP defends the bill's necessity for effective disaster management.
Key Takeaways
- The Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced by Amit Shah.
- Congress criticizes the bill for weakening federalism.
- BJP defends the bill, citing a need for improved disaster management.
- Concerns raised about the focus on the National Crisis Management Committee.
- Previous government’s inaction during disasters highlighted.
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024 in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. This legislation ignited a robust discussion, with the Congress party accusing the government of undermining federalism, while the BJP countered, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced disaster management.
During the debate, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Dangi criticized the suggested amendments.
“The Disaster Management Act was established in 2005 to create a strong framework for disaster management, concentrating on prevention, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation,” Dangi stated.
He contended that the new Bill contains numerous deficiencies and threatens the integrity of the federal structure.
“This Bill diminishes federalism, disregards the needs of local communities, and lacks a thorough approach to disaster risk management, particularly regarding climate change adaptation and animal welfare,” he asserted.
A central issue, according to Dangi, is the Bill’s focus on empowering the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) at the expense of local entities.
“This hierarchical approach may hinder vital disaster management actions and curtails the independence of local authorities,” he remarked.
He also condemned the elimination of performance evaluation measures for District Magistrates, stating it would complicate the assessment of their effectiveness.
Dangi expressed concerns about the proposed Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA), claiming it would introduce unnecessary bureaucratic complexity and impede disaster response efforts.
In response to the Congress’ criticisms, BJP MP Naresh Bansal from Uttarakhand accused the previous UPA government of neglecting areas affected by disasters.
Mentioning the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, Bansal claimed that the central government at that time failed to act promptly. “When calamity struck Kedarnath in 2013, many lives were lost, but the central government then did not respond effectively,” he asserted.
Bansal commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his dedication to disaster management, recalling that as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi spent three days in Uttarakhand but was allegedly obstructed from reaching the disaster site by the UPA government.
He also noted PM Modi’s involvement in the reconstruction of Kedarnath after assuming office as Prime Minister. “The relief package dispatched from Gujarat during the disaster -- known as the ‘Modi Kit’ -- was thoroughly organized, containing vital supplies for the affected families,” Bansal added.
Defending the government's performance, Bansal stated, “Since the establishment of the Disaster Management Ministry in 2015 under the Home Ministry, organizations like the NDRF and SDRF have been diligently aiding individuals during crises, including the Kumbh Mela.
