The Dam Safety bill, 2010 introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2010 and approved by the cabinet earlier this year was referred to the Standing Committee on Water Resources, which was scheduled to submit its report within three months. The bill which is still pending 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. Every dam owned by a public sector undertaking or any institution owned by the government is within the scope of this bill.
The salient features of the bill are -
Download the bill here: