National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex statutory body for disaster management in India.
• The NDMA was formally constituted on 27^th September 2006, in accordance with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 with Prime Minister as its Chairperson and nine other members, and one such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson.
• Mandate: Its primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response. It is also the apex body to lay down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure a timely and effective response to disasters.
• Vision: To build a safer and disaster-resilient India by a holistic, proactive, technology-driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.

Evolution of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• In recognition of the importance of Disaster Management as a national priority, the Government of India set up a High-Powered Committee (HPC) in August 1999 and a National Committee after the Gujarat earthquake (2001), for making recommendations on the preparation of Disaster Management plans and suggesting effective mitigation mechanisms.
• The Tenth Five-Year Plan document also had, for the first time, a detailed chapter on Disaster Management. The Twelfth Finance Commission was also mandated to review the financial arrangements for Disaster Management.
• On 23 December 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management Act, which envisaged the creation of NDMA, headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India.

Functions and Responsibilities of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Approve the National Disaster Plan
• Lay down policies on disaster management
• Approve plans prepared by Ministries or Departments of the Central Government in accordance with the National Plan
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by State Authorities in drawing up State Plan
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by different Ministries or Departments of Central Government for purpose of integrating measures for disaster prevention or mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects
• Coordinate enforcement and implementation of disaster management policy and plan
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as determined by Central Government
• Take such other measures for prevention of disasters or mitigation or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management

Institutional Framework for Disaster Management in India

• The Disaster Management Act, of 2005 has provided the legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India at the national, state and district levels.
• In the federal polity of India, the primary responsibility of Disaster management vests with the state government.
  • The central government lays down the plans, policies and guidelines and provides technical, financial and logistical support while the district administration carries out most of the operations in collaboration with central and state-level agencies.

• National Executive Committee (NEC)

  • A National Executive Committee is constituted under Section 8 of DM Act, 2005 to assist the National Authority in the performance of its functions.
  • Union Home Secretary is its ex-officio chairperson.
  • NEC has been given the responsibility to act as the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management, prepare a National Plan, monitor the implementation of National Policy etc.

• National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

  • NIDM has the mandate of human resource development and capacity building for disaster management within the broad policies and guidelines laid down by the NDMA.

• National Disaster response force (NDRF)

  • NDRF is the specialized force for disaster response which works under the overall supervision and control of NDMA.

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)

• • Headed by Chief Minister of the respective state, SDMA lays down the policies and plans for disaster management in the state.
  • It is responsible to coordinate the implementation of the state Plan, recommending the provision of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures and reviewing the developmental plans of the different departments of the state to ensure the integration of prevention, preparedness and mitigation measures.
• State Executive Committee (SEC)- Headed by the Chief Secretary of the state, SEC has the responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the National Policy, the National Plan and the State Plan as provided under the DM Act.

District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

• Section 25 of the DM Act provides for the constitution of DDMA for every district of a state.
• The District Magistrate/ District Collector/Deputy Commissioner heads the Authority as Chairperson besides an elected representative of the local authority as Co-Chairperson except in the tribal areas where the Chief Executive Member of the District Council of Autonomous District is designated as Co-Chairperson.
  • Further in district, where Zila Parishad exists, its Chairperson shall be the Co-Chairperson of DDMA.
• The District Authority is responsible for planning, coordination and implementing of disaster management and to take such measures for disaster management as provided in the guidelines.
• The District Authority also has the power to examine the construction in any area in the district to enforce the safety standards and arrange for relief measures and respond to the disaster at the district level.

Achievements of Disaster Planning in India

• Cyclone Fani was one of the worst cyclones to hit India in the last two decades.
  • Odisha’s preparedness, efficient early warning system, timely action, and well-planned large-scale evacuation strategies helped 1.2 million people move safely into nearly 4,000 cyclone shelters, thereby saving the lives of vulnerable populations in the sensitive coastal region.
  • The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and other organizations have hailed government and volunteer efforts that have ensured the levels of destruction to keep minimum.
  • Similarly, Andhra Pradesh demonstrated an equally excellent evacuation strategy for millions during cyclone Hudhud in 2014.
• There has been a significant reduction in the mortality rate from the loss of over 10000 lives in 1999 during the Super Cyclone in Odisha to a mortality of 16 in 2019 during cyclone Fani.
• NDMA runs intensive earthquake and extreme weather events awareness campaigns and provides guidelines regarding natural and man-made disasters.
• NDMA has released Guidelines on School Safety, Hospital Safety and Minimum Standards for Shelter, Food, Water, Sanitation and Medical Cover in Relief Camps. The Authority worked closely with the States in mitigating the impact of the Heat Wave and the number of casualties came down drastically.
• NDMA conducts mock exercises for better crisis management during a disaster situation.

Shortcomings and challenges

• Questions were raised about the role of NDMA during the Uttarakhand Flooding in 2013, where it failed to timely inform people about the flash floods and landslides. The post-disaster relief response had been equally poor. Experts blamed the poor planning of NDMA that lead to unfinished projects for flood and landslide mitigation.
• A CAG report noted that there were delays in the completion of projects under the flood management programmes. It noted the projects were not taken up in an integrated manner and blamed NDMA for institutional failures for poor flood management.
  • It held that there were huge delays in the completion of river management activities and works related to border areas projects which were long-term solutions for the flood problems of Assam, north Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• Devastations during Kerala Floods in 2018 and Chennai Floods in 2015 were eye-opening for the institutions regarding preparedness for the disaster situation.
  • CAG report on the 2015 Chennai Floods termed it to be a “man-made disaster” and holds the Tamil Nadu government responsible for the catastrophe.
• The NDRF personnel lack sufficient training, equipment, facilities and residential accommodation to tackle the crisis situation properly.
• Misutilization of Funds- The government constituted National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund to deal with the disasters.
  • Audit findings reveal that some states have mis-utilized funds for expenditures that were not sanctioned for disaster management.
  • There was in a few cases significant delay in releasing funds. Additionally, some States didn’t invest the funds thereby incurring huge interest losses. This shows financial indiscipline in states management of funds.

Akash Prime Missile

• A new version of the Akash Missile – ‘Akash Prime’ has been successfully flighting tested from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
• The missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking enemy aircraft, in its maiden flight test after improvements.
• In comparison to the existing Akash System, Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy.
• Other improvements also ensure more reliable performance under low-temperature environments at higher altitudes.
• A modified ground system of the existing Akash weapon system has been used for the current flight test.
• The range stations of ITR comprising Radars, Electro-Optical Tracking systems (EOTS) and Telemetry stations monitored the missile trajectory and flight parameters.

SATAT initiative 

About Biogas

• Energy produced from organic waste. Converted into energy by direct combustion or by conversion of such wastages into alcohol,  methane, or other storage fuels.
• Bio-gas is produced naturally through process of anaerobic decomposition from waste and bio-mass sources like agriculture residue, cattle dung, municipal solid waste, farms, gardens, kitchen waste, night soil waste, sugarcane press mud, sewage treatment plant (STP) waste, etc. It contains 60-65% Methane, 35-40% CO2, 0.5-1% H2S and rest is water vapour.
• Gases emitted from Biogas = Methane (60-65%), CO2 (35-40%), Hydrogen Sulphide (0.5-1%), Ammonia and the rest is water vapour.

• National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)

  1. It is a Central Sector Scheme. Setting up of Family Type Biogas Plants mostly for rural and semi urban areas.
  2. Under MNRE and implemented by State nodal Agencies, KVIC, BDTCs.

• GOBARDHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bioagro Resource Dhan) Yojana

  1. To convert waste into Biogas & compost. = Benefit people + clean village + helping rural people especially women.
  2. Kerala installed 1st Biogas plant under Gobardhan Yojana.

Compressed Biogas (CBG)

• CBG is similar to commercially available natural gas in its composition and energy potential.
• It is produced naturally through a process of anaerobic decomposition from waste/bio-mass sources like agriculture residue, cattle dung, municipal solid waste etc.
• After purification, it is compressed and called CBG, which has pure methane content of over 90%.
• CBG can be used as an alternative, renewable automobile fuels & it is marketed through OMCs. It can also replace CNG in automotive, industrial and commercial uses.
• CBG to be brought under Priority Sector Lending.
• CBG potential is high in Tamil Nadu.

SATAT initiative (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation)

• Under MoPNG. To set up Compressed Biogas (CBG) production plants. It has 4 objectives:
  1. Utilising > 62 million metric tonnes of waste generated every year in India,
  2. Cutting down import dependence,
  3. Supplementing job creation in the country, and
  4. Reducing vehicular emissions and pollution from burning of agricultural/organic waste.
• Benefit both vehicle users - farmers & Entrepreneurs.
• Promise for Municipal SWM & tackle Air Pollution.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

About Ayushman Bharat Scheme

1. It is to address health issues at all levels - primary, secondary and tertiary. It is the largest Govt funded Healthcare program of World with ~ 50 crore beneficiaries.
2. It is an integrated approach comprising of health insurance. 

Components of PMJAY

• Create 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centers (for Primary healthcare)
  1. HWCs are created by converting existing PHC and subcenters. 
  2. They are based on the preventive care concept. They provide comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) including a child and maternal health services, NCDs, and also diagnostic services and free essential drugs.
• PM Jan Arogya Yojana aka National Health Protection Scheme (For IIry and IIIry care)
  1. It is the largest insurance program of the World. Beneficiaries to get cashless treatment from any empanelled hospital (both public and private).
  2. It will give insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh per year per family to 10 crore families based on SECC database.
  3. There is no cap on family size. It includes pre and post hospitalization expenses. It covers all pre existing conditions. Transport allowance included.
  4. It focuses on Cooperative Federalism and Flexibility to States. States would need to have State Health Agency to implement it.
  5. AB-PMJAY is a completely cashless and paperless scheme.
  6. The benefits under AB-PMJAY are portable across the country.
  7. There is no cap on family size, or age or gender.
• Cabinet has approved the restructuring of existing National Health Agency as "National Health Authority". It has now been made an attached office to MoHFW for better implementation of AB-PMJAY.
• The number of eligible beneficiaries under SECC 2011 is 10.74 crore (50 crore people). 33 States/UTs implementing AB-PMJAY have further expanded the coverage of the scheme to include 13.44 crore families (65 crore people).
• AB-PMJAY is being implemented in all States and UTs barring West Bengal, NCT of Delhi and Odisha.
• The scheme is implemented across the country through a three-tier model.
  1. National Health Authority, an attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with full functional autonomy, is the apex body implementing AB-PMJAY across the country.
  2. For effective implementation of AB-PMJAY at States/UTs level, State Health Agencies (SHAs) have been established.
  3. District Implementation Units (DIUs) have been set up for ensuring on-ground coordination between scheme stakeholders and for smooth implementation.
• AB-PMJAY is completely funded by the Government and costs are shared between Central and State Governments in the ratio as per the extant directives issued by Ministry of Finance.
• The States/UTs have been provided with the flexibility to implement the scheme in the operational model best suited to the local conditions. Thus, AB-PMJAY is being implemented in Insurance mode, Mixed mode and Trust mode.
• As regards procedure involved, AB-PMJAY is an entitlement-based scheme. All the eligible beneficiary families are covered from day one of the implementation of the scheme in the States/UTs. AB-PMJAY does not require enrolment. However, beneficiary verification process is being undertaken to verify the genuineness of the beneficiary. Ayushman cards are issued to all eligible beneficiaries as part of this process to ensure easy availing of health benefits.
• Targets are not fixed for AB-PMJAY as the scheme operates on the basis of beneficiary demand for healthcare services. All the eligible beneficiaries of the implementing States/UTs are entitled for free healthcare services under the scheme from the day of launch of the scheme.

The beneficiary families under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) have been identified from the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 on the basis of select deprivation and occupational criteria across rural and urban areas. Details are as below:

Detailed list of criteria for eligibility under AB-PMJAY as per SECC 2011

Automatically included:

• Households without shelter
• Destitute/ living on alms
• Manual scavenger families
• Primitive tribal groups
• Legally released bonded labour

 Deprivation criteria in rural area:

• D1: Only one room with kucha walls and kucha roof
• D2: No adult member between age 16 to 59
• D3: Female headed households with no adult male member between age 16 to 59
• D4: Disabled member and no able-bodied adult member
• D5: SC/ST households
• D7: Landless households deriving major part of their income from manual casual labour

Occupational criteria in urban area:

• Rag picker
• Beggar
• Domestic worker
• Street vendor/ Cobbler/hawker / Other service provider working on streets
• Construction worker/ Plumber/ Mason/ Labour/ Painter/ Welder/ Security guard/ Coolie and other head-load worker
• Sweeper/ Sanitation worker / Mali
• Home-based worker/ Artisan/ Handicrafts worker / Tailor
• Transport worker/ Driver/ Conductor/ Helper to drivers and conductors/ Cart puller/ Rickshaw puller
• Shop worker/ Assistant/ Peon in small establishment/ Helper/ Delivery assistant / Attendant/ Waiter
• Electrician/ Mechanic/ Assembler/ Repair worker/Washer-man/ Chowkidar