3rd Session of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

About 3rd Session of NPDRR-

• It was jointly organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
• The theme of the third session of NPDRR was ‘Building Local Resilience in a Changing Climate’, which is aligned with the 10-Point agenda promulgated by the Prime Minister of India, to build local capacities, especially in the context of a rapidly changing disaster risk scenario in the wake of climate change.
• The 1st and 2nd sessions of NPDRR were held in 2013 and 2017. 

What is NPDRR?

• It  was constituted by Government of India vide resolution dated 26th February 2013. 
• NPDRR is a multi-stakeholders National Platform which is characterized by a process, where all stakeholders get together to share knowledge, experiences, views and ideas, and discuss the latest developments and trends in disaster risk reduction (DRR), identify gaps, make recommendations, and forge partnerships to further accelerate disaster risk reduction efforts.

Composition of NPDRR-

The NPDRR is chaired by the Union Home Minister and the Minister of State in-charge of Disaster Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Vice-Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority is the Vice-Chairperson of the NPDRR. 

Special Secretary/Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary in-charge of Disaster Management Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs will be the convener of NPDRR. 

The other members of NPDRR are:

• Representatives of Government of India, which includes Cabinet Ministers of Defence, Finance, External Affairs, Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, Human resource Development, Health & Family Welfare, Housing and Urban Affairs, Rural Development, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Jal Shakti, Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Women & Child Development, Mines, Panchayati Raj and Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog;
• Representatives of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, which includes Minister of each State Government/ UT dealing with the subject disaster management and one member of State Disaster Management Authority of each State/UT;
• Representatives of Local Self-Governments, which includes Mayors and Municipal Commissioners of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad; 10 Chairpersons of Urban Local bodies and 10 representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions;

• Representatives from Parliament, which includes 4 members from Lok Sabha and 2 from Rajya Sabha;
• Ex-officio members viz. Union Home Secretary and Secretaries/heads of various relevant Central Institutions/Ministries;
• Heads of institutions of National Importance;
• Persons representing industries viz. President, Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi; President, Confederation of Indian Industries, New Delhi; Director General, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, New Delhi;
• Media representatives;
• Representatives of Civil Society Organizations;
• International Representatives and
• Special Invitees.

Its functions-

• To review the progress made in the field of disaster management from time to time.
• To appreciate the extent and manner in which the Disaster Management Policy has been implemented by the Central and State Governments, and other concerned agencies, and to give appropriate advice in the matter.
• To advise on coordination between the Central and State Governments/UT Administrations, local self-governments and civil society organizations for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• To advice suo-moto or on a reference made by the Central Government or any other State Government or a Union territory Administration on any question pertaining to disaster management.
• To review the National Disaster Management Policy.