July 29, 2019
Saugata Roy opposes the introduction of The Dam Safety Bill, 2019
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Sir, along with others, I rise to oppose the introduction of The Dam Safety Bill, 2019. As has been mentioned, this is clearly outside the purview of the Central Government because earlier also, different States were asked to enact their own laws on dam safety. Bihar had enacted a Dam Safety Act in 2005. Kerala had also enacted a Dam Safety Act. Where the States are absolutely empowered to have their own dam safety Acts, there is no need for the Government to have this Bill. They must rather advise the States to set up dam safety committees.
What is the need? That power is already there with the State and if you see Articles 246 and 252, this is clear. So it is not understood that why the Centre is interfering into the realm of the State, when the States are fully empowered. If it was an interference problem like the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam on the Cauvery, I could have understood. For interstate rivers, this can be done but it can’t be done for rivers confined to one State.
Sir, another small point. It seems the present Government is very interested in bringing out old Bills from inside the cupboard and dusting them and presenting them.
Main kehta hoon, 2010 ka yeh Bill tha. 2010 mein Standing Committee ne report diya. Nau (9) saal laga Bill lane mein? Achanak Jal Shakti Mantralaya bana isliye yeh Bill la rahein hai?
Hence I oppose this Bill in all its totality because it’s outside the Constitution, interferes into the realm of the States and does not really display the concern for dam safety that should have been shown. Saugata Roy opposes the introduction of The Dam Safety Bill, 2019
