TN CM asks Modi to defer Dam Safety Bill till clarity on clauses

Seeking exhaustive and prior consultation from all states, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to evolve a consensus in the proposed legislation while keeping it in abeyance until such time.

Palaniswami said, citing media reports that the state has learnt that the Union Cabinet on June 13 has given its approval to the draft Dam Safety Bill, 2018.

He noted that former CM Jayalalithaa has conveyed the state’s objections to certain clauses of the draft Dam Safety Bill, 2016 circulated by the Government of India, encroach upon the powers of the state government.

Explaining further, the CM said the proposed legislation also encroached upon the rights conferred on the state by virtue of Inter-State Agreements on the dams owned, operated and maintained by the Government of Tamil Nadu but located in other states.

“Hence, it was urged that a legislation on Dam Safety should be re-examined and it should not be proceeded with, in haste, without considering the objections raised by Tamil Nadu threadbare,” he said.

Since the Government of India has not circulated any revised draft after 2016, he presumed that the Bill in its original form has been approved by the Union Cabinet on June 13.

“This Bill would have wide ramifications on the dams operated and maintained by the state government especially those dams which are owned operated and maintained by the Government of Tamil Nadu, but are located in the neighbouring state,” he said.

“I consider it appropriate that consensus of all the states be obtained before bringing forward such a legislation on Dam Safety,” the Chief Minister said and requested Modi to keep in abeyance the decision arrived at by the Government of India to legislate an Act on Dam Safety till such time all the states are consulted and a consensus is evolved.