What is Dam Safety Bill 2019?
Table of Contents
What is Dam Safety Bill 2019?
The Dam Safety Bill (2019) was passed by the Lok Sabha on 2ndAugust 2019. The Dam Safety Bill provides for adequate surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all the large dams in the country so as to prevent dam failure related disasters.
How is Lok Sabha bill passed?
In passing an ordinary bill, a simple majority of members present and voting is necessary. But in the case of a bill to amend the Constitution, a majority of the total membership of the house and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting is required in each house of Parliament.
Who controls dams in India?
In India most of the dams are maintained by the State Governments while there are a few other organizations, namely, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) who also now own and operate dams.
What is the impact of construction of dams?
While there are direct environment impacts related with the construction of the dam for examples, dust, erosion, borrow and the disposal problems. The greatest impacts result from the impoundment of water, flooding of land to form the dam and alteration of water flow downstream.
How can we protect dams?
Protect dam catchments with good ground cover and maintain a grassed filter strip at the dam inlet. Clean troughs regularly. Establish windbreaks adjacent to dams to reduce evaporation. Construct sediment traps to protect dams during high risk periods.
What is the process of passing a Bill?
First, a representative sponsors a bill. If the bill passes by simple majority (218 of 435), the bill moves to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill is assigned to another committee and, if released, debated and voted on. Again, a simple majority (51 of 100) passes the bill.
What are the stages of passing a Bill?
Steps
- Step 1: The bill is drafted.
- Step 2: The bill is introduced.
- Step 3: The bill goes to committee.
- Step 4: Subcommittee review of the bill.
- Step 5: Committee mark up of the bill.
- Step 6: Voting by the full chamber on the bill.
- Step 7: Referral of the bill to the other chamber.
- Step 8: The bill goes to the president.
Which is the first dam in India?
Kallanai Dam
| Kallanai Dam | |
|---|---|
| Construction began | 100 BC – 100 AD |
| Built by | Karikala cholan of Chola dynasty |
| Operator(s) | Government of Tamil Nadu |
| Dam and spillways |
What is largest dam in India?
Tehri Dam
Large Dam
| # | Name | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tehri Dam | Uttarakhand |
| 2 | Lakhwar Dam | Uttarakhand |
| 3 | Idukki (Eb)/Idukki Arch Dam | Kerala |
| 4 | Bhakra Dam | Himachal Pradesh |
How do dams affect river flow?
Dams change the way rivers function. They can trap sediment, burying rock riverbeds where fish spawn. Dams that divert water for power and other uses also remove water needed for healthy in-stream ecosystems. Peaking power operations can cause dramatic changes in reservoir water levels.
What effect would the construction of dams on major river systems have on the coastal environment?
Dam construction on rivers which intercepts sediments in reservoirs is one of the causes for reduced sediment discharge into sea. Because of dams, the sediment supply to an estuary and its adjacent coast is reduced, thus accelerating coastal erosion.
Why is dam safety important?
Sfegaurding Water security and huge investments in infrastructure. Safeguarding human life, and properties of the people living downstream of the dams. With increasing number of dams becoming older and older, the likelihood of dam failures in India is expected to be an ascending path.
What is Dam Safety Bill of India?
The Bill provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning. The 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.
What are the main features of Dam Safety Act?
It lays onus of dam safety on the dam owner and provides for penal provisions for commission and omission of certain acts.
How many large dams are there in India?
Over the last fifty years, India has invested substantially in dams and related infrastructures, and ranks third after USA and China in the number of large dams. 5254 large dams are in operation in the country currently and another 447 are under construction. In addition to this, there are thousands of medium and small dams.