Parliament passes Disaster Management Bill

New Delhi – In the aftermath of the tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004 that ravaged the coastlines of southern India claiming thousands of lives and damaging properties worth billions of dollars, the comprehensive legislation on disaster management that was introduced by the Indian Government has finally received the nod from both Houses of the Parliament.

The Disaster Management Bill 2005 which was passed by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) on November 28, 2005, was considered and passed by the Lok Sabha on December 12.

The Bill was approved by the Lok Sabha after Home Minister Shivraj Patil assured members that government would take expeditious measures to help the affected.

According to the Home Minister, the Bill provided for taking punitive action against departmental heads if they were found wanting in their duty. "During a calamity an official heading any wing of the Disaster Management Authority should act like a team leader," he said.