23 Apr 2024 National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF ”National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “Environment” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.
Why in the news?
The Centre government told the Supreme Court that the Election Commission of India had given it clearance to deal with Karnataka’s issue regarding financial assistance for drought management in the state. The Supreme Court was hearing the suit filed by the Karnataka government against the Union government, demanding the release of drought relief under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The Attorney General (AG) of India, R Venkataramani, representing the Centre, informed the Bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Karnataka, of this, emphasizing the equality of both Union and State governments as partners within the federal system.
What is a National Disaster Response Fund(NDRF)?
The Government of India manages the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), established under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act of 2005, to meet emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation expenses during a natural or man-made disaster.
The central government manages the funds for various activities, including search and rescue operations, immediate relief such as food, shelter, medical aid, restoration of essential services, and long-term rehabilitation. The primary objective of the NDRF is to supplement the state government’s resources and provide immediate relief in case of severe calamities.
NDRF is placed in the GOI’s “Public Account“ under “reserve funds not bearing interest.“ The government does not require parliamentary approval to withdraw money from this fund. Funds for the NDRF are allocated annually in India’s Union Budget. Additionally, contributions from individuals, organizations, and foreign governments may be accepted into the fund.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) within the National Disaster Management Authority is responsible for deciding the financial expenditures of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). To ensure transparency and accountability, the NDRF’s financial accounts are subjected to an annual audit conducted by India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). This process helps in maintaining the integrity of the fund’s usage.
About the Disaster Management Act 2005:
The Disaster Management Act of 2005 is legislation enacted by the Government of India to manage disasters in India effectively. The Act was passed in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, both natural and man-made, and the need for a comprehensive framework to address them. Key features of the Disaster Management Act 2005 include:
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- Institutional Framework: The Act establishes various national, state, and district institutions for disaster management. This includes the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the national level, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) at the state level, and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) at the district level.
- Roles and Responsibilities: It defines the roles and responsibilities of these authorities in disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
- Preparation of Plans: The Act mandates the preparation of disaster management plans at the national, state, and district levels. These plans outline disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery strategies.
- Powers and Functions: The Act confers powers upon the authorities to take necessary measures for disaster management, including issuing directions to other agencies and mobilizing resources.
- Financial Provisions: It provides for the creation of a National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Funds (SDRFs) to finance disaster response and relief activities.
- Public Awareness and Education: It promotes public awareness and education initiatives to enhance community resilience and disaster preparedness.
Way Forward:
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- Adequate Funding Allocation: Ensure that sufficient funds are allocated to the NDRF annually to meet the needs of disaster response and relief operations. This could involve regular reviews of funding requirements based on assessing disaster risks and potential impacts.
- Transparent Utilisation: Implement mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability when using funds from the NDRF. These could include regular audits, public disclosure of fund usage, and strict adherence to financial guidelines and procedures.
- Risk-Based Allocation: Prioritize allocating funds based on assessing disaster risks and vulnerabilities in different regions. This would ensure that resources are directed to areas most likely affected by disasters and where they are most needed.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Foster partnerships with the private sector, NGOs, and civil society organizations to leverage resources and expertise for disaster response and recovery efforts. This could involve setting up mechanisms for private sector contributions to the NDRF and engaging them in disaster risk reduction initiatives.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Ensure that the NDRF has the flexibility to respond to evolving disaster scenarios and emerging challenges. This could involve establishing contingency funds or emergency reserves within the NDRF to address unforeseen disasters or emergencies.
Disaster management in India is a multifaceted challenge given its diverse geography, population density, and vulnerability to various natural and man-made disasters.
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Prelims Practice Question:
Q. Consider the following statements about the National Disaster Response Fund:
- The President of India controls the National Disaster Response Fund.
- The central government does not require parliamentary approval to withdraw money from NDRF.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: B
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. How does India ensure equitable access to disaster management resources for all its communities, including the most vulnerable? Critically examine.
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