Dam Safety Bill 2018 - TN Opposition

Why in news?

A recent Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution demands that the Centre keeps the Dam Safety Bill 2018 in abeyance.

What is the Bill on?

• The objective is to help all states and Union Territories adopt uniform dam safety procedures.

• The Bill is to address all issues concerning dam safety including

1. regular inspection of dams
2. emergency action plan
3. comprehensive dam safety review
4. adequate repair and maintenance funds for dam safety
5. Instrumentation and Safety Manuals

• It proposes a National Committee and State Committees on Dam Safety.
• The National Committee will formulate policies and regulations on Dam Safety.

What is the NDSA?

• The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) will mediate with the state organisations and dam owners.
• It works for standardisation of dam safety-related data and practices.
• Besides, it -

1. gives dam safety assistance
2. maintains a national-level database of dams with records of failures
3. looks after design or construction of new dams
4. eliminates inter-state disputes

What is the need?

• Most dams in India are constructed and maintained by the states.
• Some of the bigger ones are managed by autonomous bodies.
• E.g. Damodar Valley Corporation or Bhakra Beas Management Board
• There is lack of legal and institutional architecture for dam safety in India.
• This has kept the dam safety an issue of concern for long.
• Unsafe dams are a hazard and dam break may cause disasters.
• The Centre has come up with the Bill when about 450 dams are being constructed.

Why is Tamil Nadu opposing?

• The TN resolution proposed that the Bill had contentious clauses.
• 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.
• It wants the Centre to arrive at a consensus with the states.
• Till then, it asks the Centre to keep in abeyance the process of legislating on the Bill.

What is the Mullaperiyar issue?

• Tamil Nadu owns dams in Mullaperiyar, Parambikulam, Thunakadavu and Peruvaripallam in Kerala.
• The two states have engaged in dispute over the Mullaperiyar dam.
• Tamil Nadu government wants to raise the water level to 142 feet and carry out repair.
• But Kerala has opposed it citing safety threats.

• Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act 2006 limits the full reservoir level to 136 feet.
• The Supreme Court had struck down the Act, and the order went against Kerala.
• Eventually, an SC team inspected the dam and confirmed that the dam was safe.
• Given this, the latest move by the Centre has made Tamil Nadu cautious about its authority and assets.
• More objections are likely to follow from other states as well.

Source: Indian Express