The Hindu : National : Soz to review Narmada authority decision

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Saturday, Mar 11, 2006

National

National

Soz to review Narmada authority decision

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz on Friday put on hold the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) decision on Wednesday to raise the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada from 110.64 to 121.92 metres.

"I have taken this seriously. I am not at all satisfied with the resettlement and rehabilitation of the affected families. Neither Gujarat nor Madhya Pradesh has given me a credible commitment that the Action Taken Reports would be verified by gram sabhas/gram panchayats so that the displaced people are not deprived of their legitimate rights. Consequently, the clearance given by the resettlement and rehabilitation sub-group of [the] NCA to raise the dam height was premature," Mr. Soz told The Hindu .

The NCA review committee, which he chairs, would take another look at the decision. The Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are in the committee.

Mr. Soz said he would visit the Narmada valley to assess the rehabilitation and resettlement claims made by the States. He has written to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to express his dissatisfaction with the rehabilitation process.

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