NEtf DELHI: Narmada Bachao
Andolan leader Medha Patkar on Wednesday accused the Centre and its agencies of
mismanaging the rehabilitation of Sardar Sarovar Project oustees and alleged
that offrcials usurPed funds meant for compensation to the
displaced tribals and
villagers. She demanded a "fttll, impartial inquiry''
into the "corruption" exposed in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
and said only gram sabhas could glve Proper information on the
families displaced and to be rehabilitated. No
assessment Leading a rally of more than 800
displaced PeoPle from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat
here,
Ms. Patkar said that despite
assurances from Central Ministries and agencies, none visited the valley to
assess the situation.The dam
would displace more than 40,000 families in the three States. Thirly dams were
Planned on the Narmada. She alleged that it had come to light in MadhYa
Pradesh that officials usurped up to Rs. 4OO crore as "cuts" for
giving moneY to people other than the displaced. Those whose homes and farmland
had either submerged or were going to be
submerged were shown as rehabilitated and settled onpaper. "This
is just being done to somehow raise the height of the Narmada dam in Gujarat from 110.64 metres to 121.92
metres this monsoon." said Ms Patkar. She Iater met Union Minister for
Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar and Water Resources Secretary and
Chairman of the Narmada Control AuthoritY (NCA) J. Hari Narayan. Ms. Kumar
assuled her that she would visit the valley. Surrounded by a big posse of police
and Central Industrial SecuritY Force personnel, the affected families picketed
the Ministries of Water Resources and Social Justice and EmPowerment seeking
land – as provided for in the Narmada bisputes
Tribunal Award - for their rehabilitation and resettlement, instead of
cash compensation. "First it was cash, then it was land for land, then again it
became cash and now we have nothing," said Sonabai and Rajkorbai, widows
from Pichauri in Madhya Pradesh. Ms. Patkar alleged that some officials had Pocketed
half of the flrst instalment of money given by Gujarat
to Madhya Pradesh for the rehabilitation of the
displaced people. "Even in Gujarat there
is big corruPtion in purchase ofland for the ousiees. A Depu$ Collector has
been jailed. It is clear the dam is being Pushed through corruPtion. How can
the Centre be a mute spectator," she asked.
More reviews about the THE HINDU