Last week, the government introduced a Bill in Parliament seeking to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It proposes to make important changes in the Act, aimed mainly at improving the operational efficiencies in responding to a natural disaster. The Bill seeks to significantly expand the role and responsibilities of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), especially in guiding state governments and organs of the Centre in dealing with disasters. However, it misses the opportunity to upgrade and strengthen the institutional status of NDMA. This would have empowered the body…