PANAJI
Amidst dam safety concerns, the State government has reconstituted the Goa State Committee on Dam Safety for a fresh term of three years starting from June 24.
The reconstitution comes as part of the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, to prevent dam-related disasters across the State. The newly notified committee will be headed by the Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department and Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the Government, as per the government notification issued on Thursday.
“The committee shall discharge its functions as specified in the Third Schedule of the Dam Safety Act 2021… as may be necessary to prevent dam failure-related disasters,” the notification stated.
The committee comprises seven members and one member secretary and will operate according to the guidelines and directions issued by the National Dam Safety Authority.
As per the notification, the committee is mandated to meet twice a year, with one compulsory meeting scheduled before the onset of the monsoon season.
“The State Dam Safety Committee shall meet at such times and places and observe rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings as may be prescribed by the State Government, provided that the State Dam Safety Committee meets twice a year. One meeting shall be held before the onset of the monsoon season,” it added.
The committee is also empowered to constitute sub-committees and invite dam owners and experts to its meetings as required.
The tenure of this committee will remain in effect till June 2028, after which it will be reconstituted for another three-year term. The State government stated it would also bear the expenditure related to the functioning of the committee.
