NEW DELHI: Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar on Friday alleged that the Narendra Modi regime and the Congress-led United Progress Alliance Government were working in tandem on mega projects.

"Despite assurances from the Central and State Governments, Gujarat has quietly begun construction to raise the height of the Narmada dam from 119 to 122 metres. The UPA and the State Congress are keeping quiet about the lack of rehabilitation of 35,000 families in the Narmada valley. Even the process of identification of adult sons, as per the order of the Supreme Court, has not been done," she told a press conference here.

Everybody including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave an assurance that work would stop at the height of 119 metres before monsoon and would be resumed only after a review of rehabilitation.

Ms. Patkar charged Central and State officials with contempt of court and "perjury" for claiming that rehabilitation of all families displaced at the height of 122 metres was over. The Shunglu Oversight Group, set up by the Prime Minister, admitted to the presence of 25,000 families in the submergence area at 122 metres and that the rehabilitation and resettlement sites were not ready. According to the group, the National Sample Survey Organisation identified 6,500 families as claimants, while the list of adult sons was not complete. "This simply means thousands of project-affected people are yet to be added to the list," Ms. Patkar said.

According to the Shunglu panel, 22 villages did not exist and emerged just for claiming compensation. The panel's observations were based on census reports. "This is false. There are villagers who can trace their ancestry generations back and have been voters in several Lok Sabha elections. Obviously this was done to show a smaller number of displaced families," she said.

"Doublespeak"

Swami Agnivesh said he was disappointed at the "doublespeak" by the Prime Minister in South Africa and Cambridge on satyagraha and globalisation. "What he said abroad is the opposite of the policies he is pursuing domestically."

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