http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1847504298
Dear Friends,
This is to bring to your notice the very serious situation faced once again by the people in the Narmada valley, India.
According to reports in the Indian media, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee in a meeting with the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, intervened to support for a further increase in the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam from its present height of 90 meters to 100 meters.
http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1847504298
As the things stand, oustees even below the present dam height have not been resettled. The Narmada Control Authority (NCA), the interstate monitoring body for the dam, has refused permission to an increase beyond 90 meters, as the land for further resettlement is not available. The Chief Minister of the state of Madhya Pradesh has repeatedly clarified that there is no land available for resettlement. The state government of Maharashtra is still revising its assessment of number of oustees, land availability and resettlement through its 'Task Force'. The state government has already conveyed to the NCA in a letter on January 11, 2002 that there should be no further construction on the dam if it is found that the rehabilitation of the oustees below 90 meters has still to be completed.
As you are aware, the people of the Narmada valley have been involved in a struggle to save their lands and homes and livelihoods from destruction by the Sardar Sarovar dam for the last 16 years.
Your involvement and support can make a difference.
The Honourable Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India 7 Race Course Road, New Delhi 110 001 February 4, 2002 Dear Sir, We are writing to express concern regarding newspaper reports of your support for raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam to 100 meters. We would like to bring to your notice that oustees even below present dam height of 90 meters have not yet been resettled. The Narmada Control Authority (NCA) has refused permission for an increase beyond 90 meters, as land for resettlement remains unavailable. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has repeatedly declared that there is no land available in the state for rehabilitation, and furthermore the Maharashtra government is still in the process of revising its assessment of oustee numbers, land availability and resettlement. In this situation, a further increase in height of the SSP would lead not only to a violation of the Supreme Court verdict of 18th October 2000 but would also reflect disregard for the human rights of those affected. We strongly urge you to intervene and direct all concerned to adhere to the guidelines concerning submergence and rehabilitation as enlisted in the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award. We also request you to open meaningful consultations with the dam-affected persons of the Narmada valley with a view to protecting their fundamental rights and preventing their further disenfranchisement. We hope that your intervention will serve this end. Yours Sincerely, (Your name and address) ---
Shri C. Gopal Reddy,
Chairperson, R & R sub group,
Narmada Control Authority,
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
Shastri Bhavan,
New Delhi 110 001
February
4, 2002
Dear Sir,
We are writing to you with reference to the Narmada Control Authority (NCA)
meeting scheduled for 8 February 2002.
We are extremely concerned about newspaper reports regarding the Prime
Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's support for raising the height of the
Sardar Sarovar dam to 100 meters.
As chairman of the R&R subgroup of the NCA, you are aware of the grim
situation regarding resettlement and rehabilitation in the SSP submergence
zone. Oustees even below the present height of the dam at 90 meters remain
to be resettled. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has repeatedly
declared that there is no land available in the state for rehabilitation,
and furthermore the Maharashtra government is still in the process of
revising its assessment of oustee numbers, land availability and
resettlement.
In this situation, a further increase in height of the SSP would lead not
only to a violation of the Supreme Court verdict of 18th October 2000 but
would also reflect disregard for the human rights of those affected.
We strongly urge you to oppose any further increase in the height of SSP and
insist on a strict adherence of all concerned to the guidelines concerning
submergence and rehabilitation as enlisted in the Narmada Water Disputes
Tribunal Award.
We hope that the NCA will act with a view to protecting the fundamental
rights of the people of the Narmada valley and preventing their further
disenfranchisement.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
----
Thank you,
In Solidarity,
Malavika Vartak
---
Malavika Vartak
South Asia Campaigner
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA 94703
USA
Tel: 510 848 1155
Fax: 510 848 1008
Web Site: www.irn.org