NATIONAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

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Context: Cabinet Secretary chaired NCMC meeting to review heat wave and forest fire preparedness, discussing measures with ministries, agencies, and states.

About National Crisis Management Committee

• The NCMC is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, who is the highest-ranking civil servant in the Indian government.
• An officer from the Cabinet Secretariat is designated as the convenor of the committee, responsible for facilitating meetings, maintaining records, and ensuring smooth functioning.

Functions

• It serves as the apex body for coordination among various government agencies, departments, and stakeholders involved in crisis management.
• It facilitates timely decision-making by bringing together key officials from different ministries and agencies to assess the situation and formulate response strategies.
• The committee helps allocate resources efficiently by prioritizing needs and mobilizing support from relevant departments and organizations.
• It ensures the dissemination of accurate and timely information to all stakeholders, including the public, media, and international partners.
• It contributes to the formulation of policies and guidelines for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

About Cabinet Secretary

• The Cabinet Secretary is the top executive official and senior civil servant of the Government of India.
• He is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board, the Cabinet Secretariat, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), and all the Civil Services of India.
• He is the senior-most cadre post of the Indian Administrative Service, ranking eleventh on the Indian order of precedence.
• His term length was extended to a maximum of four years since 2010.

The Cabinet Secretariat was the precursor to the cabinet, which was initially a secretariat headed by the Private Secretary of the Viceroy. The Secretariat became the Cabinet Secretariat in 1946, and the secretary became the Cabinet Secretary.

Functions and Power of the Cabinet Secretary

• The Cabinet Secretary heads the Cabinet Secretariat, acts as the chief coordinator of the central government, and acts as the chairman of the Civil Services Board.
• The Cabinet Secretariat also acts as the chairman of the Committee of Secretaries on Administration, the Conference of Chief Secretaries of States, and the Senior Selection Board.
• The Cabinet Secretariat ensures the President of India, the Vice-President, and the Ministers are kept informed of the major activities of all departments.

Source:

PIB

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Analyze the role of local communities and indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction and response efforts. How can traditional coping mechanisms and community-based approaches be integrated with modern disaster management strategies to enhance resilience and ensure culturally appropriate interventions?