Flood-prone states sit on remedial Bill

Floods have been unleashing themselves on states as an annual ritual with around 10 states reeling under its impact at present. However, a model Bill on zoning devised by the Centre as a long-term flood control measure has found no takers among states.

The Bill seeks setting up of flood zoning authorities, the supreme bodies for allowing any activity in areas which have been mapped as flood-prone.

Two non-flood prone states, Manipur and Rajasthan, are the only ones which have bothered to pass legislation based on the Bill, which was made over two decades ago. However, even these states have not bothered to enforce it yet, central government officials say.

Officials say the Bill, which was sent to states as early as 1975 by the water resources ministry, found only two takers because the law restricted activities in flood zones. Encroachments are blamed for the floods, which have been hitting more and more states over the years.

A law which could have kept encroachments under control will naturally be unpopular with states, says the National Disaster Management Authority, which is the new policy-making body on natural calamities under the home ministry.

The authority holds the water resources ministry responsible for not trying enough to get states to enact the legislation. However, the ministry says it can't do anything as water is a state subject.

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THE DELUGE

States currently reeling under floods: 18
Lives lost so far: 1038
Districts hit: 37
Villages hit: 10098
(Ministry of Home Affairs)