While dams have played a key role in fostering development in India, a badly maintained, unsafe dam can be a hazard. In this context, discuss how far the recent Dam Safety Bill, 2018 would help in standardizing and improving dam safety in India and also discuss anomalies if any. (200 words)
Refer – The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
Shankaranand 6 years
Please Review
Thank You
IAS Parliament 6 years
Good effort. Keep writing.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
Dam safety Bill, 2018
· The objective of this Bill is to help develop uniform, countrywide procedures for ensuring the safety of dams.
· It will empower the dam safety institutional set-ups in both the Centre and States and will also help in standardizing and improving dam safety practices across the country.
· The Bill provides for –
a) Constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety which shall evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations as may be required for the purpose.
b) Establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body which shall discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines and standards for dam safety in the country.
c) The Bill provides for constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by State Government.
· It addresses all issues concerning dam safety including –
a) Regular inspection of dams
b) Emergency Action Plan & Disaster management
c) Comprehensive dam safety evaluation
d) Adequate repair and maintenance funds for dam safety
e) Instrumentation and Safety Manuals
· It lays onus of dam safety on the dam owner and provides for penal provisions for commission and omission of certain acts.
Anomalies
· The Bill allows the NDSA to inspect dams situated across intra-state rivers.
· This is being viewed as an attempt to encroach on the state’s powers and rights.
· This is especially with respect to Dams constructed by the State Government in the neighbouring State.
· It is said to cause various problems in their maintenance and operation.
· For example, Tamil Nadu Assembly recently passed a resolution which demands the Centre to keep the Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in abeyance citing contentious clauses.
· Water experts expect that more objections will follow from other states, because most dams in India are owned and operated by state governments.
SATHESH KUMAR R 6 years
REVIEW PLS
IAS Parliament 6 years
Presentation is good. Focus more on content. Keep Writing.
Abhishek Dandriyal 6 years
Kindly Review.
IAS Parliament 6 years
Shorten the introduction part; focus more
on how the bill ensures dam safety.
