NBA: Dam work continues!
*Urgent* Press Release, March 11, 2006
*NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN*
62, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Badwani, Madhya Pradesh. Ph: 07290-222464
c/o B/ 13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Vadodara. Ph: 0265-2282232
Maitri Niwas, Tambewadi, Dhadgaon, Dist Nandurbar, Maharashtra. Ph: 02595-220620, baroda
narmada.org
CENTRAL WATER RESOUCES MINISTER ISSUES A STATEMENT THAT HE WILL REVIEW THE DECISION TO RAISE THE DAM HEIGHT SAYING HE HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT REHABILITATION!
HOWEVER THE CONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE DAM SITE IS CONTINUING!
HOLI PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE AS PLANNED WITH INCREASED RESOLVE BY THE PEOPLE!
Today, we have got news that the Central Water Resouces Minister, Shri Saif-ud-din Soz has issued an official statement saying that he will convene a meeting of the Review Committee of the Narmada Control Authority (RCNCA) to review the decision taken by the NCA, which he called "premature".
However, the construction work at the dam site is continuting with Gujarat government officials stating that they have not received word from teh Centre! We believe that even if the RCNCA decides to overturn the premature decision of the NCA, which it should since rehabilitation is seriously lacking, if teh construction work is completed then it is too late. The construction work must be stopped until the decision and reviewed, AND CONSTRUCTION MUST STOP UNTIL EVERY SINGLE FAMILY AFFECTED UNDER 121 METRES IS REHABILITATED AS PER THE AWARD AND SUPREME COURT VERDICTS!
As per official figures and statements, there are 24,421 families affected in 177 villages of Madhya Pradesh, who are affected between the heights of 110 and 121 metres. The fertile lands, houses and all properties, including schools, dispensaries, shops, etc, of these villages will be flooded and submerged due to raising the height. While the Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal Award clarifies in no uncertain terms that affected people shall be rehabilitated with cultivable and irrigable land, the state governments have time and again tried to displace oustees by forcing the cash compensation on them.
It is also deeply troubling that the Water Resource Ministry has failed to uphold laid down procedures by its flip-flop on the issue of cash compensation in lieu of the land-based rehabilitation.
On July 21st, 2005 a meeting was convened by the Chairman, NCA – Mr Harinarayan, Chief Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources – where in the issue of cash compensation was raised by Government of Madhya Pradesh. This meeting emphasised that further course of action for implementation of R & R shall be in accordance with the directions of the Hon Supreme Court of India dated March 15, 2005.
Again in September 2005, examining the matter of cash compensation in the backdrop of Madhya Pradesh Government forwarding the opinion of Grievance Redressal Authority, the Chairman of the NCA conveyed his views that it has been advised to GoMP that all eligible PAFs are to be allotted lands in Madhya Pradesh.
These opinions are well documented in the Minutes of the 62nd meeting of the R&R Sub Group.
While the oustees approached the Supreme Court challenging the cash compensation on February 11, 2006, the NVDA didn't shy away from issuing a Press Statement within a week underlining the fact that Rs 436 crores have been distributed to PAFs. We wish to inform that the application filed by the oustees is posted for April 3, 2006. But, even before this matter comes up, a clandestine decision was taken to raise the height of the dam by R & R Sub Group on March 08, 2006, and the same was immediately cleared by NCA in a subsequent meeting.
Just two days ago, on March 06, 2006 in a response on the letter by L C Jain, the minister of Water Resources, Prof Saifuddin Soz stated that the ministry is committed to follow the laid down procedure and will uphold the legal provisions on rehabilitation and indicated that the same is being followed up. While, Prof Soz mentions that Action Taken Reports are being sent to all the affected gram panchayats for field verification. However, the only document that has been served to gram panchayats is the eviction notice asking people to vacate their lands within 13 days, by January 31, 2006.
*The Action Taken Reports (ATRs) of the state governments are false* and show all the families as rehabilitated.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Government has already started the construction at the dam sight and CM of Gujarat and Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam chairman has been making boastful statements in assembly and before media, even as Prof Soz issued a statement expressing his dissatisfaction with the rehabilitation process yesterday.
WE SEEK FURTHER CLARIFICATION FROM PROF SOZ ON WHETHER HIS STATEMENT HAS EFFECTED THE STAY OVER CONSTRUCTION. WE BELIEVE, A REVIEW OF THE DECISION AND STAY ON THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION IS A MUST; LEST WE FAIL THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PROJECT WITH AN ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL.
The statements made to media by Jay Narayan Vyas, ex minister of Narmada in Gujarat, also clearly points out that raising the height at this point speaks volumes about the political expediency and the lack of insight, as in the absence of the progress on canal network, this would merely earn a shallow visibility for CM Modiji and beautification of Ahmedabad, while not serving the needy farmers in Saurashtra and Kutch.
We also want to inform all our supporters that the Holi program planned for the 14th and 15th of March will continue. Holi is not a celebration, but a puja, a prayer for the hilly adivasis, it is carried out in good times and bad. We would like to invite you all to join us for this Holi, please especially try to make it to support the people of the Valley who will lose everything if the height is raised right now. Please contact 09879536407/ 09820636335/ 0265-2282232 or barodanarmada.org for the program, please do reach Baroda by the morning of 14th March. PLEASE JOIN US!
Ashish Mandloi, Hirdaram Bhai, Jagan Shiva, Dipti Bhatnagar, Medha Patkar
For more information please visit 
http://www.narmada.org/
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