The Hindu : National : Noisy scenes over rehabilitation of Sardar Sarovar dam oustees

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

National

National

Noisy scenes over rehabilitation of Sardar Sarovar dam oustees

Special Correspondent

Saifuddin Soz promises speedy relief for affected families

Saifuddin Soz

NEW DELHI: Long answers given by Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz during Question Hour on Tuesday on rehabilitation of affected people by the Sardar Sarovar dam across the Narmada prompted Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to ask him to be brief and to the point.

At one point, the Minister referred to hydel power as "hydraulic power" and his answer witnessed noisy scenes from Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) benches for a few minutes. Mr. Soz was asked by the Chairman not to go into intricate details and refrain from wasting the time of the House.

The Minister was also at the receiving end from the CPI(M) member Brinda Karat who likened his answers to "applying chillies on fresh wounds." Highlighting the plight of the affected people, she said that development could not go on at the cost of bulldozing the dwelling units of the poor and displaced. She said nearly 10,000 families in the Narmada valley were yet to be rehabilitated and the Group of Ministers' was dissatisfied at the rehabilitation efforts.

Mr. Soz promised speedy rehabilitation of families affected by the raising of the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam across Narmada river in Gujarat.

Replying to supplementaries, he said the Narmada Control Authority had decided to accord permission to raise the height of the dam from 110.64 metres to 121.92 metres after getting various clearances.

The House witnessed uproarious scenes over the issue with the BJP and ruling party members trading charges. Mr. Soz said as per the action taken report submitted by the Governments of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, the Grievances Redressal Authority of these States had expressed satisfaction regarding rehabilitation of the affected families.

On the repair, renewal and restoration of water bodies announced by the Government, the Minister said 14 States had benefited from this and 10 new States had demanded assistance.

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