Lok Sabha Question No. 284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 284

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  JULY, 2025/ ASHADHA 31, 1947 (SAKA)

DISASTER MANAGEMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024

284.    SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Disaster  Management  (Amendment)  Bill,  2024  aims  to increase  transparency,  accountability,  efficiency  and  cooperation  in disaster management;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  the  details  of  the  total  strength  of  the  active  National  Disaster Response Force (NDRF);

(d) whether the Government has taken steps to streamline cooperation and coordination between the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs); and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 has been passed by the Parliament and got assent of the President on 29.03.2025.

The provisions of the Act came into force w.e.f. 09.04.2025. The Act, interalia, aims to:-

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025

- (i) bring more clarity and convergence in the roles of Authorities and Committees working in the field of disaster management;
- (ii) provide statutory status to certain pre-Act organizations like the National  Crisis  Management  Committee  and  the  High  Level Committee;
- (iii) strengthen the efficient working of the National Disaster Management  Authority  and  the  State  Disaster  Management Authorities;
- (iv) empower  the  National  Disaster  Management  Authority  and  the State  Disaster  Management  Authorities  to  prepare  the  disaster plan  at  national  level  and  State  level  instead  of  the  National Executive Committee and the State Executive Committee.
- (v) provide for creation of disaster data base at national and State level;
- (vi) make provision for constitution of 'Urban Disaster Management Authority'  for  State  Capital  and  large  cities  having  Municipal Corporation; and

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025

(vii) make  enabling  provision  for  constitution  of 'State Disaster Response Force' by the State Government.

The above measures are aimed to increase transparency, accountability, efficiency and cooperation in the disaster management.

(c): There are 16 operational battalions in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and their total sanctioned strength is 18,581.

(d) & (e): The  primary  responsibility  of  undertaking  rescue,  relief  and rehabilitation measures in the event of a natural disaster rests with the State  Governments concerned. The  Central  Government,  wherever required, supplements the efforts of the State Governments by providing logistics  and  financial  support  in  cases  of  natural  disasters  of  severe nature and beyond coping capacity of the State resources.

For better coordination and synergy between National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) and to provide multiplier effects towards relief and rehabilitation during natural disasters, major steps taken by the Government are as under:

- i. NDRF organizes annual conference of SDRF including other stakeholders concerned. The conference provides an opportunity to

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025

share  best  practices  to  improve  the  response  capabilities  through mutual cooperation/ coordination in case of any disaster. Since last two  years,  this  Conference  is  being  conducted  jointly  with  Relief Commissioners'  Conference  by  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  (MHA)  in collaboration with NDRF to review the status of preparedness to deal with  disaster  or  impending  disaster  situation  before  South-West Monsoon.

- ii. NDRF regularly conducts mock drills/ exercises involving SDRF and other stakeholders. These mock drills/ exercises provide platform for effective coordination between NDRF and SDRF.
- iii. NDRF  is  relentlessly  engaged  in  community  capacity  building  and public awareness and preparedness programmes.
- iv. NDRF renders necessary assistance for capacity building of the SDRF.
- v. The Government of India has also established a premium institute i.e. NDRF Academy at Nagpur to impart training to NDRF personnel and other  stakeholders,  including  SDRF.  Besides,  NDRF  Battalions  are also imparting training to SDRF  personnel  in  various  disaster management courses.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 284 FOR 22.07.2025

- vi. In the wake of disaster/ impending disaster situation, NDRF officials also participate in the coordination meetings organized by the State Governments/local administration.
- vii. NDRF organized a National Capacity Building competition for SDRFs to enhance their preparedness and efficiency in handling collapsed structure  emergencies  wherein  total  30  teams  of  29  States/UTs participated. Final of the competition was conducted from 21 st  to 24 th April, 2025 at 08 th  BN NDRF, Ghaziabad, UP.

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