Hurrying for disaster management bill
Deliberation on Disaster Management Bill comes right after the wild fire raged and turned the historical Wangdu Dzong into ashes. The bill had been mulled ever since earth quake followed by rains badly hit eastern district few years back.
The MPs on both the houses have not come to agreement even after the deliberation on Monday. One of the extensive deliberations took place with regard to section 122 pertaining to penalty in the event a person obstructs any authorized person in the discharge of functions under this Act.
There have not been major differences but minor that are not letting it to come as law. The major contention pertained to whether a person should be directly convicted for obstruction or give the person a chance to present a reasonable excuse for obstruction.
Consequently, the National Assembly on Monday did not resolve on the amendment made by the National Council: “A person who obstructs any authorized person in the discharge of functions under this Act shall, on conviction be liable for petty misdemeanour”.
Similarly, NA insists that section 123 must remain as it had agreed earlier, which reads as “A person who fails to comply with the directives under this Act shall, on conviction be liable for petty misdemeanour unless the person has a reasonable excuse”.
The bill was deliberated in last session of the parliament as well.
The two houses are insisting to retain their version of the bill when it becomes the law, leading a prolonged debate. To end the debate, the houses have now decided to go for joint sitting.
The prolonged debate is good for this bill is crucial for the country facing increased national hazards caused by changing weather conditions.
The country faces legal and administrative difficulties while addressing the natural disasters. The government and the local authorities remain stalled on who is responsible to act on those critical situations.
The country needs the law faster but also better one that will address all issues, giving the authorities to act promptly when they have to.