GS-2: Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure;

GS-3: Disaster and Disaster Management

Key phrases - Dam safety bill, central dam safety organization

Why in news:

Dam safety bill 2019 passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Analysis:

Status of dams in India

• India ranks third globally after China and the United States of America, with 5334 large dams in operation
• 67 dams were built prior to the 20th century and 1,039 dams during the first 70 years of the 20th century.
• since 1979, there were 42 instances of dam failure, the latest being Annamayya reservoir in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh

Need of this bill

• Dam safety is an issue of concern in the country. And there are no legal and institutional safeguards in this regard
• In 1986, a panel of experts recommended to the Centre that a legislation be framed. In 2007, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal Assemblies passed resolutions empowering Parliament to come up with a law
• Inter-State basins cover 92% of the country’s area and most of the dams, making the Centre competent to enact such a law
• Ageing of dams and potential of disaster- 67 dams were built prior to the 20th century and 1,039 dams during the first 70 years of the 20th century
• Inter-state tussle over dams which require a standard framework to avoid friction like frequent issue between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over Mullaperiyar

Features of this bill

• Bill provides for 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
• Bill provides for 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
• All dams in India with a height above 15 metres come under the purview of the bill.

Significance of the bill

• Preventing disasters -dam safety unit will be required to inspect the dam before and after the monsoon session, and also during and after natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.
• Bill will help all the States and Union Territories of India to adopt uniform dam safety procedures
• It lays onus of dam safety on the dam owner and provides for penal provisions for commission and omission of certain acts.
• In the event of a dam failure, the NCDS will analyse why the failure occurred, and suggest changes in dam safety practices

Concerns with this bill

• Primary objection to the bill is that is unconstitutional, as water as subject falls in the State List.
• The bill is too focused on structural safety and not on operational safety.
• There is inadequate compensation to the people affected by dams.
• Many states say it encroaches upon the autonomy of States to manage their dams, and violates the principles of federalism
• Tamil Nadu, which currently possesses four dams situated in Kerala, is opposed to the Bill as it would result in the four dams falling under the NDSA.

Other Steps taken by government for dam safety

• Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project-aims to improve safety and operational performance of dams, along with institutional strengthening with system wide management approach
• Inter linking of Rivers Project

Way ahead

• Consultations with states which are likely to be most affected and taking them in confidence ,like Tamil Nadu
• Allaying opposition fears that this would lead to further erosion of autonomy of states and is a move towards more centralization

• Bodies created under the law should be manned by experts rather than political persons and retired bureaucrats

Source :The Hindu

Prelims question :

Q. Consider the following statements related to dams and Dam Safety Bill?

1. The bill is too focused on structural safety and not on operational safety.
2. Inter-State basins cover 92% of the country’s area.
3. Under the Constitutional provisions two or more states can pass resolutions empowering Parliament to enact a law on a state subject.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 &2 only

(c) 1&3 only

(d) 1,2 &3

Ans: d

Related mains question

Q Recent incident like in Dam burst in Andhra raises question about the safety of Indian dams . While plans to build more dams are in process with growing energy needs of India. Do you think Dam Safety Bill 2019 adequately touches the issue?