India passes bill to enhance disaster response, clarifying roles and boosting preparedness.

The Indian Parliament has passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024, aimed at enhancing disaster response by clarifying roles and responsibilities of national and state authorities. The bill, supported by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeks to improve efficiency and accountability, while opposition parties expressed concerns over centralization of power. The amendments aim to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, including the creation of a national and state disaster database.