The Hindu : National : Panel discusses survey methodology

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 10, 2006

National

National

Panel discusses survey methodology

Special Correspondent

NSSO teams to verify claims of Madhya Pradesh Government

NEW DELHI: The panel headed by former Comptroller and Auditor-General V.K. Shunglu will study whether the Special Relief Package involving cash compensation instead of land-for-land offered to the Narmada dam displaced families by the Madhya Pradesh Government was consistent with the Narmada award and Supreme Court orders.

In its meeting held here on Tuesday, the panel discussed the methodology of the survey to be undertaken by the National Sample Survey Organisation teams at submergence villages and rehabilitation sites in the Narmada valley in Madhya Pradesh.

Supreme Court order

According to a source, rehabilitation was a major part of the entire exercise. The panel would study whether it was in consonance with the award and legal orders.

"Luckily we are encouraged by the Supreme Court order of Monday," the source said.

He said the panel would discuss the ways of holding field surveys of the affected people, land, houses and villages within a limited period. The NSSO teams would verify the claims made by the State government on rehabilitation of the project affected people.

Officials of the Narmada Control Authority and the NSSO participated in the meeting lasting about four hours. It will meet here again on Wednesday.

The Supreme Court on Monday said that the committee would verify the ground situation and submit its report by June-end.

To recommend system

It will also recommend a system to ensure that all families who would be affected at the increased height of the Narmada dam would be rehabilitated within three months.

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