Dam Safety Bill 2018 introduced in Lok Sabha

Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced Dam Safety Bill 2018 in Lok Sabha.

• The bill provides a uniform procedure for the safety of dams in the country.
• The bill ensures surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of dams; and prevention of dam failure from disaster.
• According to the bill, the dam owner is responsible for dam safety and contain penal provisions for not adhering the certain acts of the bill.

Salient Features of Bill:

• The bill provides legal and institutional safeguard to ensure the safe functioning of dams.
• The bill addresses all the issues related to dam safety, comprehensive dam safety review, Emergency Action plan, repair and maintenance of funds for the dam.
• The bill provides institutional framework which includes - National Dam Safety Authority, State committee on Dam safety, State Dam safety organization.
• Owner of the dam have to prepare Emergency action plan within 5 years and for new dams, it has to prepared before filling.
• Owner of the dam is required to establish hydro-meteorological network and emergency Flood warning system.
• There is a provision for comprehensive safety evaluation by independent panel of expert.
• Every state will establish a State Dam Safety Organization for safety of the dam.

Interesting to know:

• India holds third rank after USA and China in terms of larger number of dams.
• Over 5254 larger dams are operating in India and about 447 dams are under construction.
• These dams are not maintained properly which causes concern for human life, Flaura and Fauna and to the environment.
• In past, India faced 36 dam failures due to low maintenance and lack of legal mechanism

Question:

Q. To provide a uniform procedure for the safety of dams in the country, Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced which bill in Lok Sabha?
a. Dam Scrutiny Bill 2018
b. Dam Safety Bill 2018
c. Dam Procedures Bill 2018
d. Dam Guidelines Bill 2018