NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Friday passed a bill to set up a national authority and a committee to inspect and maintain dams. Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the legislation focused on creating standard criteria for safety of dams.

He also allayed opposition fears that the Centre was attempting to take over states' rights.

He said the bill sought to set up an National Dam Safety authority for surveillance, inspection and maintenance of dams and to address issues between states. TNN

