Lok Sabha passes Disaster Management Amendment Bill amid disruptions

Amid disruptions in both Houses of Parliament over issues ranging from Adani bribery indictment to George Soros, the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Bill aims to strengthen the efficient working of the national and state disaster management authorities, with the government emphasising that the legislation will help states in handling all disasters in a better way.

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Lauding the move, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a post on X said, “The Lok Sabha today passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to PM Modi for this landmark move. The game-changing provisions of the law will serve as a fresh impetus to build a disaster-resilient Bharat by empowering our response forces to shield our citizens from any kind of calamity.”

The Bill makes way for the security of every citizen by prioritising a proactive approach to disaster management over a reactive one. The House cleared the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to amend the Disaster Management Act by a voice vote. Several amendments moved by opposition members were negated by the House.

The government said states faced difficulties in implementing the Disaster Management Act of 2005. The proposed amendment is based on overcoming the difficulties flagged by states.

Responding to a debate on the Bill, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said it is a strong legislation to strengthen the disaster management system in the country.

“When a disaster hits, it hits the country as a whole; this Bill will prepare the country to handle disasters better,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the face-off between BJP MPs and Opposition MPs continued in Parliament with the Rajya Sabha being adjourned for the day amid uproar over the alleged nexus between US hedge fund tycoon Soros and Sonia Gandhi and Adani row among other issues.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar declined the notice filed by Opposition MPs seeking discussion on alleged derogatory remarks made by the Allahabad HC judge.

Terming the notice filed by Opposition MP Renuka Chowdhury to be in transgression of rules, Dhankhar declined the demand. The Opposition MPs created ruckus over various issues, including the Adani row, farmers’ distress and the increasing crime rate in Delhi.

In a change from the past few days, the House sat for the entire duration of question hour, but trouble broke out in the zero hour when the Chair called Congress member Jothimani Sennimalai to speak.

As she made a reference to the alleged links between Gautam Adani and the BJP, Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the proceedings, said the businessman’s name will not go on records, triggering protests from the opposition.

Congress member KC Venugopal sought to know whether the rule was selectively applicable for references made by Opposition party members.

Venugopal said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had made certain references in the Lok Sabha which were not expunged by the Chair.

Later, BJP member Nishikant Dubey raised the issue of alleged connections between Congress leaders and George Soros-backed outfits that were purportedly working on an agenda to destabilise India.

Angry Congress members trooped to the Well of the House, raising slogans against the BJP leading to the uproar and a couple of adjournments.