◇ The Government of India, recognizing the importance of disaster management as a national priority, had set up a High-Powered Committee in 1999 and a National Committee in 2001 after the Gujarat earthquake, to make recommendations on the preparation of disaster management plans and suggest effective mitigation mechanisms. However, after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, the Government of India took a defining step in the legislative history of the country by enacting the Disaster ManagementAct, 2005. ◇ The Act provided for the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to disaster management in the country. Initially, the NDMA was constituted in 2005 by an Executive Order of the Government of India. Subsequently, the NDMA was notified in 2006 under the provisions of the Act.
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY □
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NDMA [PART 2]
◇ The NDMA consists of a chairperson and other members, not exceeding nine. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of the NDMA. The other members are nominated by the chairperson of the NDMA. ◇The chairperson of the NDMA designates one of the members as the vice chairperson of the NDMA. The vice chairperson has the status of a cabinet minister while the other members have the status of aMinister of State. ◇The NDMA is the apex body for disaster management in the country. It works under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. ◇The NDMA was established with this vision: ‘To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, pro-active, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.’
COMPOSITION OF THE CVC
◇ The CVC is a multi-member body consisting of a commissioner. ◇ They are appointed by the president by warrant under his hand and seal on the recommendation of a three member committee consisting of the prime minister as its head, the Union minister of home affairs and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. ◇ They hold office for a term of four years or until they attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier. After their tenure, they are not eligible for further employment under the Central or a state government. □ The president can remove the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any vigilance commissioner from the office under the following circumstances: (a) If he is adjudged an insolvent (b) If he has been convicted of an offence which (in the opinion of the Central government) involves a moral turpitude (c) If he engages, during his term of office, in any paid employment outside the duties of his office (d) If he is (in the opinion of the president), unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body or (e) If he has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his official functions.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF THE NDMA
◇ It recommends guidelines for the minimum standards of relief to be provided to persons affected by disaster. ◇ It recommends, in cases of disasters of severe magnitude, relief in repayment of loans or grant of fresh loans on concessional terms to the persons affected by such disasters. ◇ It exercises the general superintendence, direction and control of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). This force has been constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster. ◇ It authorises the concerned department or authority to make the emergency procurement of provisions or materials for rescue or relief in any threatening disaster situation or disaster. In such case, the standard procedure requiring inviting of tenders is deemed to be waived. 5.3K09:59 PM◇ It prepares an annual report on its activities and submits it to the central government. The centralgovernment causes it to be laid before both Houses of Parliament
STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
◇ Every state government should establish a State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) for the state. An SDMA consists of a chairperson and other members, m not exceeding nine. ◇ The Chief Minister of the state is the ex-officio chairperson of the SDMA. The chairperson of theState Executive Committee is the ex-officio member of the SDMA. ◇ The other members, not exceeding eight, are nominated by the chairperson of the SDMA. Thechairperson of the SDMA designates one of the members as the vice-chairperson of the SDMA. ◇ The chairperson of the State Executive Committee acts as the m ex-officio chief executive officer of the SDMA
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
◇ Part XVII of the Constitution deals with the official language in Articles 343 to 351. ◇ Its provisions are divided into four heads :- • Language of the Union, • Regional languages, • Language of the judiciary and • texts of laws and Special directives
PROTECTION OF LINGUISTIC MINORITIES
Constitution makes the following provisions: ◇ Every aggrieved person has the right to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the Union or a state in any of the languages used in the Union or in the state, as the case may be. This means that a representation cannot be rejected on the ground that it is not in the official language. ◇ Every state and a local authority in the state should provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups. The president can issue necessary directions for this purpose. ◇ The president should appoint a special officer for linguistic minorities to investigate all matters relating to the constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities and to report to him. The president should place all such reports before the Parliament and send to the state government concerned.
ORGANISATION
◇ The CVC has its own Secretariat, Chief Technical Examiners’ Wing (CTE) and a wing of Commissioners for Departmental Inquiries (CDIs). ◇ Secretariat: The Secretariat consists of a Secretary, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Under Secretaries and office staff. ◇ Chief Technical Examiners’ Wing: The Chief Technical Examiners’ Organization constitutes the technical wing of the CVC. It consists of Chief Engineers (designated as Chief Technical Examiners) and supportingengineering staff. The main functions assigned to this organization are as follows: (i) Technical audit of construction works of Government organizations from a vigilance angle (ii) Investigation of specific cases of complaints relating to construction works 3.8K08:28 PM(iii) Extension of assistance to CBI in their investigations involving technical matters and for evaluationof properties in Delhi. (iv) Tendering of advice/ assistance to the CVC and Chief Vigilance Officers in vigilance cases involving technical matters. ◇ Commissioners for Departmental Inquiries: The CDIs function as Inquiry Officers to conduct oral inquiries in departmental proceedings initiated against public servants.
OBJECTIVES OF THE NDMA
◇ To promote a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through knowledge, innovation and education. ◇ To encourage mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and environmental sustainability. ◇ To mainstream disaster management into the developmental planning process. ◇ To establish institutional and techno-legal frameworks to create an enabling regulatory environment and a compliance regime.◇ To ensure efficient mechanism for identification, assessment and monitoring of disaster risks. ◇ To develop contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by responsive and failsafe communication with information technology support. ◇ To ensure efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs of the vulnerabl
REGULATING ACT 1773
◇ Governor of Bengal will now be Governor-General of Bengal. ◇ Created an Executive Council of 4 members to assist him. ◇ First Governor General was Warren Hastings. ◇ Establishment of Supreme court in Calcutta. Comprising 1 CJI and 3 other Judges. ◇ Prohibited the Servants from engaging in any Private Trades and taking Bribesfrom Natives. ◇ Court of Directors will report about the functioning of EIC to Government