Organization for Disaster Management in India

Disaster management is emerging as a key concern in public administration. Given the high frequency of disaster events and their impact, the importance of disaster management has been growing in India. The Main theme of this paper is a description of the organization for policy making and execution for disaster management in India. It presents the emerging perspectives in disaster management, implications of the Disaster Management Act2005. The NDM Act 2005 is a watershed in India's approach and efforts toward effective disaster management. It takes into account the complexities involved and the globalised nature of some disaster events. It shifts the focus of the policy frame from relief to preparedness, prevention, mitigation and development. For the first time in India's history, it creates a high level statutory body i.e., the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with the Prime Minister as its chairperson. The NDMA is empowered to formulate policies and guidelines and establish enforcement machinery and infrastructure. Provision is made for adequate funding to meet its obligations. Structural arrangements similar to the NDMA have been suggested by the Act at the state and local levels. The reform attempts to increase the capability at various levels. Thus, risk reduction has become a significant disaster management strategy. But in a federal polity increasing centralization has the unintended consequence of delegitimizing the role of state and local authorities viz., the units responsible for action in the operational realm. It is suggested that the federal government should limit its role to providing policy guidelines and lending support and leave the decision making authority to the states and local bodies. (The abstract should be over 120 words)Disaster management, Preparedness, mitigation, structural reforms