The Government of India has recently established the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to address major disasters with national impact. This move follows severe monsoon-induced floods and landslides in several states. The NCMC aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and response across the country.
Formation and Legal Basis
The NCMC was constituted under section 8A(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification formalising the committee. It is the apex body for handling disasters that have wide-ranging national consequences.
Leadership and Membership
The committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. Key members include the Union Home Secretary, Defence Secretary, Secretary (Coordination) from the Cabinet Secretariat, and the head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The chairperson can co-opt experts or officials from central or state governments or relevant organisations as needed.
Mandate and Functions
The NCMC evaluates the country’s readiness to face threatening, emerging, or ongoing disaster situations. It issues directions to improve preparedness where necessary. The committee coordinates and monitors actions of central ministries, state governments, NDMA, state disaster authorities, and both governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in disaster response.
Coordination and Monitoring Role
The NCMC ensures seamless coordination across various agencies during crisis management. It monitors disaster response activities to avoid duplication and delays. The committee’s directions aim at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in managing disasters with national ramifications.
Significance in Disaster Management
The NCMC’s formation marks a step towards centralised crisis management in India. It provides a structured mechanism for quick decision-making and resource mobilisation during large-scale disasters. The committee’s proactive role is expected to reduce the impact of disasters on lives and infrastructure.
Disaster Context and Need
Recent floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Manipur exposed gaps in disaster response. The NCMC’s creation addresses the need for a high-level body to manage such complex emergencies effectively.
Expert Involvement and Flexibility
The committee’s ability to co-opt experts allows it to adapt to diverse disaster scenarios. This flexibility helps incorporate specialised knowledge and enhances the quality of decision-making during crises.
Integration with Existing Structures
The NCMC works alongside the NDMA and state disaster management authorities. It complements their efforts by providing strategic oversight and ensuring alignment of disaster management policies and actions at all levels.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the role of the National Crisis Management Committee in India’s disaster management framework with suitable examples.
- Explain the significance of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 in strengthening India’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
- What are the challenges in coordinating disaster response among central and state agencies? How can these be overcome through institutional mechanisms?
- Comment on the importance of expert involvement in national crisis management and its impact on policy formulation and implementation.
