<span style="color: #222222;">Rajya Sabha has taken up the Dam Safety Bill, 2019 for consideration and passing. The bill provides for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of the specified dam for prevention of dam failure related disasters and for institutional mechanism to ensure their safe functioning. The bill was moved by Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Speaking on the bill, Mr Shekhawat said that 90 per cent of the dams in country are located on inter-state rivers and their safety must be taken care of.<br />''<br />'' He said, the damage to dams may cause huge harm to human lives as well as on whole riverine structure. Mr Shekhwat said, the bill will no ways encroaches the rights of State Governments with regard to the ownership of water, management of dams and generation of power.  <br />''<br />'' Initiating the discussion on the bill, Shaktisinh Gohil of Congress accused the Central Government of encroaching the rights of states through this legislation. He said, the bill is unconstitutional and demanded the government to refer it to Select Committee for further scrutiny. He said, the Centre has no right to frame bill with regard to state subjects as construction of dam and their management lies with states.<br />''<br />''Participating in the debate, K. J. Alphons said that this bill is a tribute to federalism as water is a source of life. He said, the bill empowers the states, the same way, it empowers the Centre. Md.  Nadimul Haque of TMC also raised some issues with regard to provisions of the Dam Safety Bill and urged to the refer the bill to Select Committee. DMK member T. K. S. Elangovan also demanded the bill to be referred to Select Committee saying that the State Government is capable of management of its dams and the Centre should focus on equal distribution of water. Prasanna Acharya of BJD also wanted the government to address few concerns relating to the bill.</span><br />