GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Dec. Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Dam Safety Bill, 2019, which provides for the monitoring, inspection, operation and maintenance of certain dams across the country, with a provision of imprisonment of up to two years or fine or both for offenses under it.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on 2 August 2019. Since amendments have been brought on this bill by the government, now this bill will be sent again to the Lok Sabha and the approval of the lower house will be taken.
It was introduced in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat amid ruckus by opposition leaders. However, before any further discussion or voting could take place, the House was adjourned.
Initiating the debate again on Thursday, Shekhawat explained in detail how and why the bill is necessary.
More than a dozen members of opposition parties – many of whom came with a black ribbon on their right elbow to protest the suspension of 12 MPs – demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha.
Shekhawat tried to answer all the issues raised by the opposition and assured that the Center does not want to encroach upon the powers of the states.
The bill was later passed with amendments by voice vote.
Data as of June 2019 (a month before the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha) shows that there are 5,745 large dams in India (including dams under construction). Of these, 5,675 large dams are operated by states, 40 by central public sector undertakings and five by private agencies. More than 75 percent of these dams are more than 20 years old and about 220 dams are more than 100 years old. Most of these large dams are in Maharashtra (2,394), Madhya Pradesh (906) and Gujarat (632).
The Bill envisages the formation of two national level bodies and two state level bodies. The National Dam Safety Committee will help develop policies and recommend regulations regarding dam safety standards, while the National Dam Safety Authority will implement policies and provide technical assistance to state bodies.
Role of the State Committee on Dam Safety and the State Dam Safety Organization would be similar to that of the national bodies, but the jurisdiction would be limited to their respective states. Bill applies to all specified dams in the country.
The government has also introduced a provision to imprison a person in connection with dam safety as a punishment. Where the offense has resulted in loss of life, the term of imprisonment may extend to two years.
As per the provisions, the dam owner shall be responsible for the safe construction, operation, maintenance and supervision of the dam. Apart from regular monitoring, the functions of dam owners include preparation of an emergency action plan, carrying out risk assessment studies at specified regular intervals and preparing a comprehensive dam safety assessment through a panel of experts.
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