NDMA- in the wake of fukusima

dated 1 may 2011

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh  reviewed the disaster preparedness in the country in the wake of recent disasters in Japan. As Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Prime Minister reviewed the safety measures being undertaken by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) in respect of the nuclear facilities in the country and directed DAE and AERB to upgrade the safety measures in the light of the Fukushima experience and look at Beyond Design Basis Accident.

• Prime Minister also reviewed Earthquake and Tsunami preparedness and highlighted various issues in this regard

Evolution of NDMA

Ø     On 23 December 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management Act, which envisaged the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers of the States, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India.

Ø      Tenth Five-Year Plan Document also had, for the first time, a detailed chapter on Disaster Management. Similarly,

Ø     the Twelfth Finance Commission of India was also mandated to review the financial arrangements for Disaster Management

Organisation

Ø     National Disaster Management Authority has been constituted with the Prime Minister of India as its Chairman,

Ø     a Vice Chairman with the status of Cabinet Minister, and eight members with the status of Ministers of State.

Ø     Each of the members has a well defined functional domain covering various states as also disaster specific areas of focus and concern.

Ø     To carry out the mandated functions, NDMA has evolved a lean and professional organization which is IT-enabled and knowledge based. Skills and expertise of the specialists are extensively used to address all the disaster related issues. A functional and operational infrastructure has been built which is appropriate for disaster management involving uncertainties coupled with desired plans of action.

Ø     The concept of the organization is based on a disaster divisions-cum-secretariat system. The NDMA Secretariat, headed by a Secretary is responsible to provide secretarial support and continuity.

Ø     The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has mandated constitution of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF

At present, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is about constituted of eight battalions, two each from the BSF, CRPF, CISF and ITBP.

Ø     Each battalion will provide 18 self-contained specialist search and rescue teams of 45 personnel each including engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads and medical/paramedics. The total strength of each battalion is approximately 1,149.

Ø     All the eight battalions are being equipped and trained to combat all natural disasters including four battalions in combating nuclear, biological and chemical disasters.

Raising of two more NDRF battalions at Patna, Bihar and Guntur, Andhra Pradesh has been approved by the Government and NDMA has initiated necessary actions for the same