The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India has developed an online dashboard known as the ‘National Migrant Information System (NMIS)’. This system is designed to provide a central repository of data regarding migrant workers, facilitating efficient inter-state communication and aiding in the smooth transit of these individuals to their home regions.
National Migrant Information System: An Overview
The NMIS serves as a comprehensive online portal that collects standardized data related to migrating persons. Information such as name, age, mobile number, originating and destination district, and date of travel are recorded. The purpose of this system is to allow states to visualize migration flows, monitoring how many people are exiting particular areas and how many are reaching their intended destinations.
Additional Benefits of the NMIS
Beyond its primary function, NMIS possesses added benefits like contact tracing, which is crucial in the overall Covid-19 response work. The system can use stored mobile numbers for contact tracing and movement monitoring during the pandemic, aiding in the identification and gathering of further information about individuals who may have been exposed to an infected person.
Movement of Migrant Workers Amid Pandemic
In light of the Covid-19 crisis, the Government of India has permitted the movement of migrant workers via buses and ‘Shramik’ special trains to allow them to return to their native places. This decision underscores the importance of having a centralized, accessible data repository like NMIS.
About the National Disaster Management Authority
NDMA, the creator of NMIS, is the paramount statutory body responsible for disaster management in India. Created under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, it features the Prime Minister as its Chairperson, along with nine other members, one of whom serves as the Vice-Chairperson.
The NDMA’s Mandate
The NDMA’s chief role is coordinating responses to natural or man-made disasters and building disaster resiliency and crisis response capacities. As the topmost organization in this field, it is mandated to institute policies, plans, and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure swift and effective reactions to disasters.
The Vision of NDMA
The NDMA is committed to cultivating a safer and disaster-resilient India through a comprehensive, proactive, technology-oriented, and sustainable development strategy. This approach involves the participation of all stakeholders and encourages a culture of prevention, preparedness, and mitigation.
Source: PIB