Question : Disaster Management

(a) whether the Union Government has holistic approach towards disaster management in the country;

(b) if so, the details of the new initiatives and innovations undertaken during each of the last three years for managing the disasters in the country;

(c) whether the Union Government proposes to consider induction of Agniveer in Battalions of Disaster Management Forces or any other public recruitment;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which their induction is likely to be started;

(e) the details of Mitigation Fund constituted alongwith the details of funds allocated and released to various States particularly to Odisha so far;

(f) whether the Union Government proposes to brought down cases of loss of life during various calamities to zero in the country; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Union Government in this direction?

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


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(a) & (b): Union Government, with its continuous efforts, has significantly improved its approach towards disaster management in the country from relief-centric to a holistic approach of preparedness, prevention, response, recovery, mitigation and capacity building. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 articulates the need for mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) into development planning. The National Policy and National Plan on Disaster Management seeks to build a safe and disaster resilient India.

There are institutional mechanisms at the National, State & District level in the country viz. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) & District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) respectively to develop appropriate preparedness, coordination and prompt response mechanism for effective management of natural disasters. Central Government has also set up the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for providing a specialist response to threatening disaster situations or disasters. The details of the key new initiatives and innovations undertaken during the last three years are given in Annexure-I.

(c) & (d) Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to reserve 10% vacancies for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles for Agniveers, completing four years under the Agnipath Scheme. It is also decided to give three years’ age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age


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limit to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles. NDRF is a deputationist force, whose personnel comes from the CAPFs and Assam Rifles.

(e) Union Government has constituted the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) on 05.02.2021. Union Government has also advised all the State Governments to set up State Disaster Mitigation Funds (SDMFs). So far, 21 States have intimated setting up of SDMF. The details regarding Central share and State share of funds allocated and released from SDMF to various States is given in Annexure-II.

(f) & (g) The primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the State Governments. The Central Government strives to achieve zero mortality in all disasters in collaboration with State Government and response agencies. Further, strengthening of the disaster management is a continuing and evolving process of the governance.

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