The Dam Safety Bill, 2010
ONLY IMPORATNT FACTS BY : SUDHANSHU MISHRA
The Bill seeks to provide for the surveillance, inspection and
operation of all dams of certain parameters to ensure their safe
functioning.
The law is applicable to Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal (and Union Territories) because their Legislatures passed a resolution for an Act of Parliament. It may apply to any other state if they pass a resolution on the matter.
A National Committee on Dam Safety is to be established with the Chairman, Central Water Commission as the Chairperson and at least 11 other specified members. It shall meet at least twice a year.
The functions of the National Committee include
(a) monitoring the functioning of state or non-state dam safety organisations;
(b) evaluating dam safety procedures in various states and suggest ways to improve dam safety practices consistent with international practices and Indian conditions;
(c) evolving a comprehensive dam safety management approach; and
(d) advise on specific matters of dam safety to the central or state governments.
The central government shall establish a Central Dam Safety Organisation within the Central Water Commission. Its functions include providing technical and managerial assistance to State Dam Safety Organisations (established by the state government); maintain a data-base of all specified dams including distress conditions; maintain records of major dam failures; and resolve disputes between state dam safety organisations. The states shall establish a State Committee on Dam Safety if they have more than 20 dams. The Committee shall review the work of the State Dam Safety Organisations, recommend measures for safety of a specified dam, and establish priorities among projects of remedial safety works.
In states with less than 20 dams, there shall be a State Dam Safety Cell headed by a Superintendent Engineer. Every dam owner (other than central and state governments) owning more than 10 specified dams shall establish Non-State Dam Safety Organisation.
In states without the state committees, the progress of work of the State Dam Safety Organisation shall be undertaken by the
National Committee on Dam Safety through the Central Dam Safety Organisation.
VERY IMPORTANT FOR IAS 2012 IN RESPECT OF MULLAPARIYAR ISSUE
