New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh has taken exception to the April 6-8 visit by three Union Ministers to the State to look into the complaints of the Narmada Bachao Andolan on relief and rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project.

In its fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court, the Madhya Pradesh Government said the Group of Ministers, led by Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz, arrived in Indore on April 6, began its tour on April 7 and ended it on April 8. In the beginning, it had a brief discussion with the officers concerned. However, while interacting with the people, the Ministers did not seek any clarification from State officials. Nor did they forward any comment to the State.

Constitutional propriety

Referring to the GoM report filed in the court, the State Government said: "In a federal structure, if the Centre was to prepare a report which it intended to give to the Supreme Court and which task it took upon itself unilaterally, it would have been in conformity with constitutional propriety had the report been given after asking the State to give its explanation."

On the appointment of a new committee to oversee relief and rehabilitation measures, the Government said such a mechanism was not tenable. A new committee would complicate the issue rather than solving it.

The affidavit said: "There is a well laid-out mechanism for overseeing the implementation of the directives given by the [Narmada] tribunal as well as the apex court. It has functioned satisfactorily. It will be in the interest of all concerned to allow this mechanism to function without let or hindrance." Rather than establishing a new mechanism or new agency, it would be better to strengthen the existing ones.

Refuting the GoM report point by point, the State said the Narmada Control Authority accorded permission for raising the dam height from 110.64 to 121.92 metres only after taking into account the relief and rehabilitation measures taken by the Government and also its commitment that the remaining work would be completed before the 2006 monsoon.

While so, "it is not yet clear on what basis the Union Minister for Water Resources gave a statement that the relief and rehabilitation measures in Madhya Pradesh are not satisfactory and hence the permission accorded by the NCA for further raising of dam height was premature."

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