The primary objective of the project Disaster Risk Reduction in Greater Mumbai of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) or BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is to build MCGM’s competency to manage disaster risks. Also, to conduct an analytical study on Legal and Institutional Arrangements for Disaster Risk Management to improve coordination and facilitate information exchange among institutions involved in disaster risk management. The project proposes to establish a disaster risk management process that would close the institutional gap in Mumbai City’s competency to manage disaster risk by equipping the MCGM with a Disaster Risk Management Master Plan (DRMMP).
Apart from DRMMP, the LIA report serves as a tool for identifying and strengthening key legislations and institutional systems on DRM, to better equip governing institutions like the MCGM in coping with disasters.
There were series of stakeholder consultations and focus group discussions that were held to meticulously identify the institutional gaps and come up with key policy recommendations to respond with these gaps. Some of the methods used for obtaining pertinent information include key informant interviews to MCGM department heads, focus group meetings, stakeholder consultations, workshops and self-administered survey. It is noteworthy that participatory/consensus-based approach was employed all throughout the process.
The draft LIA Framework report dated November 21, 2010 by Mr. Mohan Sajnani, Legal and Institutional Expert and Atty. Violeta Seva, Legal and Institutional Arrangements Practice Leader formulated eight (8) key policy recommendations for the gaps identified from the series of stakeholder consultations. These are as follows:
- Policy 1. Mainstream DRR in the development plans and projects of all government departments, public and private sector as well as other stakeholders.
- Policy 2: Revise comprehensively the functions of the Disaster Management (DM) Department to reflect statutory provisions for MCGM responsibilities on DRM and strengthen it so that it is enabled to discharge such responsibilities.
- Policy 3: Ensure there is no mismatch in Authority, Responsibility, Accountability and Capacity in respect of all key stakeholders.
- Policy 4: State Government may enact its own DM Law specific to its requirements.
- Policy 5: State Government may propose amendments to the DM Act, 2005 to Ministry of Home Affairs related to the roles and responsibilities of Municipal Corporations in Mega Cities.
- Policy 6: State Disaster Management Authority may lay down State Disaster Management Policy.
- Policy 7: A forward looking DM Audit mechanism may be put in place.
- Policy 8: DRR needs to be integrated with all the components of projects being taken up under JNNURM.
