New Delhi: Parliament on Tuesday passed an amendment to the Disaster Management Act 2024, and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that there will be no centralization or discrimination against power or discrimination against the state in dealing with disasters.
In answering Rajya Sabha’s debate on the bill, he carried out a huge attack on the past management of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, alleging a lack of accountability and transparency during the last UPA regime.
“The bill ensures transparency, trust, credibility and accountability,” he said. The amendment to the bill has taken a fight against disaster from “reactive proactive and innovative approaches.”
He said India is now receiving widespread attention in handling disasters when it comes to listing initiatives, and the world recognizes its capabilities.
The amendment bill passed in Lok Sabha in December 2024 was cleared in the voice vote of Rajya Sabha, and the House of Lords negated several opposition amendments. About 24 members participated in the debate on the amendment bill.
The Home Minister assured the House of Lords and the state government that there would be no “centralization of power”.
“We cannot fight disaster without strengthening the institution. Unless the institution is made more responsible and responsible. If you look at the bill, you will find that we have done both of these things.” In response to the debate on the bill, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s harsh attack on the Congress party’s UPA-era Prime Minister’s Relief Fund alleges lack of accountability and transparency during the last UPA regime.
Replying to the debate on disaster management (Amendment) in 2024, he said that when the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund was created in the UPA era, and the PM-Care Fund was established during the NDA government.
“Under the Congressional regime, there is only one family that controls the Prime Minister’s relief fund. The Congressional Party Chairman was once a member of the Prime Minister’s relief fund. What will you respond to the people of this country?” Shaa said, adding that their time is not transparent. There is no use of committee research funds.
The Home Secretary claims that under the UPA, the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation received funds from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. He added that even public sector businesses (PSUs) are funding the foundation.
