— Photo: AP

FOR TRIBAL WELFARE: Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh Narendra Modi and Shivraj Singh Chauhan at the dedication ceremony of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam hydel project at Kevadia Colony in Gujarat on Friday.

KEVADIYA COLONY (GUJARAT): BJP Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on Friday demanded the Congress-led UPA Government to ``exempt'' the interest component on the loans for the Sardar Sarovar dam for the welfare of the tribals and sanction a ``special industrial package'' at the Narmada basin for rehabilitation of the project-affected people.

Dedicating to the nation the 1,450 MW hydroelectric project of the Sardar Sarovar at the dam site here in Narmada district, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi asked the Centre for this concession, if it was ``really concerned about the welfare of the tribals.'' He said he would guarantee that ``every penny'' thus saved would be spent for the welfare of the tribals.

Mr. Modi said that ``for the Government of India, granting exemption on interest is a very small step," but feared this would not be done because the Congress was "not serious about the welfare of the poor and downtrodden.''

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who was the only other Chief Minister to attend the function, claimed that his Government was taking all necessary steps for the rehabilitation of the project-affected. But said if the Centre was really concerned about the rehabilitation of tribals, it should sanction a ``special industrial package.''

Pointing out that such a special package had earlier been approved for the Congress-ruled Uttarakhand, Mr. Chauhan said his Government was formulating the package which would be submitted to the Centre.

He alleged that the Centre sent three Ministers, followed by the Shunglu Committee, to find ``loopholes'' in the rehabilitation of the project-affected in his State, but they ended up ``appreciating'' his efforts.

He said as against 6,000 families rehabilitated all these years, more than 18,000 families had been rehabilitated during his short tenure. He assured the people of Gujarat that his Government would speedily complete the rehabilitation of another 14,000 families required for taking the height to the full reservoir level of 138 metres to ensure completion of the project.

Complimenting the efforts of M.P. and Maharashtra Governments for rehabilitation of the project-affected, Mr. Modi said if the Centre ``did not come in the way,'' his dream was to complete the entire project ready with main and sub-canal network by the ``golden jubilee year of Gujarat'' in 2010.

He advised all present to pray to God ``with folded hands'' so that ``wiser counsel'' prevailed among all ``opponents'' of the project and it was ``allowed to be completed at the earliest.''

Agriculture Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was invited to the function but there was ``no response from the PMO.''

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