Points to Remember:
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is India’s apex body for disaster management.
- Understanding the roles and responsibilities of different Indian ministries is crucial.
- The question requires factual knowledge about the NDMA’s organizational structure.
Introduction:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is a statutory body in India tasked with the responsibility of laying down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management. Its establishment is mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Determining under which ministry it operates requires understanding the government’s organizational structure and the nature of disaster management responsibilities. The question demands a factual response, identifying the correct ministry responsible for the NDMA.
Body:
1. The Role of the NDMA: The NDMA’s primary function is to coordinate and integrate disaster management efforts across various government agencies and levels. This includes planning, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery phases of disaster management. Its responsibilities span a wide range of disasters, from natural calamities like earthquakes and floods to man-made disasters like industrial accidents and terrorist attacks.
2. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for internal security, law and order, and disaster management at the national level. It plays a crucial role in coordinating the response to major disasters and providing resources to affected areas. Given the wide-ranging impact of disasters and the need for coordinated national response, it is logical that disaster management would fall under the purview of the MHA.
3. Other Ministries’ Roles: While other ministries have roles in disaster management (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture in agricultural disaster relief, Ministry of Defence in military assistance during disasters, Ministry of Rural Development in rural area disaster relief), their involvement is typically within their specific mandates. The NDMA acts as the overarching coordinating body, ensuring a holistic approach.
4. Factual Confirmation: The NDMA is indeed an agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This is a matter of public record and can be verified through the official websites of both the NDMA and the MHA.
Conclusion:
In summary, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This arrangement is logical given the MHA’s broader responsibilities for internal security and national-level coordination. The other ministries mentioned play supporting roles in disaster management, but the NDMA’s overarching coordination function necessitates its placement within the MHA. This structure ensures a unified and effective response to national disasters, promoting the safety and well-being of citizens, a core constitutional value. Therefore, the correct answer is (A).
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