Author: Anirban Banerjee
Publication: Organiser
Date: May 14, 2006
URL: http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=130&page=19#1
Introduction: The R&R package in Madhya
Pradesh include two hectares of land for every family whose 25 per cent of
land holding is getting acquired. If land is not acceptable then there is
a special rehabilitation package which is basically cost of the land in cash
calculated on the cost of the best irrigated land, besides allotment of free
plot in a developed resettlement site.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada will
be generating 1450 Megawatts of electricity and irrigate 1.8 million hectares
of agricultural land. The Narmada project once completed will boost the economy
of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra.
The real agenda of the anti-dam groups is
not the rehabilitation but to stall dam as they say "bandh nahi banega
koi nahi hatega" as people like Medha have obstructed efforts of rehabilitation
by intimating the affected villagers and its disinformation campaign which
stands exposed now. Narendra Modi's stand has brought national development
and security as the pivotal issues in political discourse. This can now signal
a turning point in the national politics as he has become a real hero to millions
of Indians who desire India to be a super power. We need to appreciate Shri
Narendra Modi for his relentless efforts in making Narmada Project a success
while Mr Soz manipulated to stall the project.
Let's get our facts clear. Medha Patekar and
Arundhati Ray are opposing the dam not on technical or factual base but on
political grounds. The truth is that Union Ministry and the Narmada Control
Authority (NCA) cleared the enhanced height on March 8 last. This was done
only after the Action Taken Report on rehabilitation was cleared by high-level
grievance redressal authority and then approved by the NCA.The process of
rehabilitation has been successfully completed in Gujarat and is in progress
in Madhya Pradesh .The previous Madhya Pradesh government was opposed to the
dam and had stalled the rehabilitation work in spite of its benefits to Madhya
Pradesh of getting 57 per cent of the hydel power generated,which currently
faces daily power shortfall of 1500 megawatt often leading to closure of industries.
But with the change of government now the rehabilitation work is in progress.
The R&R package in Madhya Pradesh include two hectares of land for every
family whose 25 per cent of land holding is getting acquired. If the land
is not acceptable then there is a special rehabilitation package which is
basically cost of the land in cash calculated on the cost of the best irrigated
land, besides allotment of free plot in a developed resettlement site. The
landless SC/ST is being given a cash of 49000. Gujarat which has completed
the process and has given 5 acres of land to each projected affected family
for every one acre land lost also gave a free housing plot, cash assistance
Rs 45000 for construction of house, Rs 4,500 subsistence allowance, Rs 7000
for buying agriculture equipment besides a resettlement grant. One should
note that each son of DAF is eligible for the relief package. Gujarat has
transformed the life of these families by building roads, schools and health
centres but people like Medha, Arundhati Roy and other leftists do not want
people to live a better life. In reality, the rehabilitation as undertaken
by the project is one of the best in the world and has been appreciated by
the international agencies. The entire process of construction and rehabilitation
is monitored by retired judges appointed by the Supreme Court and its implementation
is done by an autonomous body of 70 officials from different ministries. One
wonders if the Mr Soz wants us to go back to the days of 'PL480' (American
food aid) when we lived a 'ship to mouth' existence. Would they want us to
depend on China or Pakistan for food? Although the project can boost Maharashtra's
economy, it is strange that Chief Minister V.R. Deshmukh voted for suspension
of work at the Narmada Review Committee meeting on April 15. Thus the Supreme
Court judgment allowing the increasing the height of the dam and the Gujarat
High Court judgment asking the centre to ban Medha's outfit -the NBA-under
the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for its alleged role in attempting
to hamper the development of the country by opposing the Narmada and other
dam projects needs to be noted by all Indians. Has one you ever seen any of
them speak out against terrorism or say a word of praise for our security
forces or come forward to help relief operations? We should retrospect as
to what we have got by stopping the national river linking project, which
can generate 10,000 Megawatts of power and can rejuvenate 15 per cent of India's
land. Projects like Golden Quartile or National Urban Renewal Plan should
not become victim of such divisive politics guided by communists, as India
can never afford such discrimination on political lines.
We need to appreciate Shri Narendra Modi for
his relentless efforts in making all development projects a success in Gujarat
. One should also note that the demand for an immediate stoppage of work as
demanded by Mr Soz, Medha Patkar, Amir Khan and Communists would lead to cost
escalation and stall the progress of India .We must ask them how stopping
works help in rehabilitation. India should come up with a law to contain such
forces opposed to India's development. Laws like POTA to fight terrorism and
protecting economic and development interest of India is need of the hour.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a symbol of dream
of all young Indians like Hoover Dam was to the USA and Aswan High Dam to
Egypt. Once completed, Narmada project will be a triumph of Indian's technology
and skill. It will be a symbol of India's pride.