It is sad that state governments are not putting in full efforts for speedy and visible rehablitation of affected people. It is more sad that media is not highlighting this sufficiently - media can really mobilise public opinion thereby ensuring justice. Supreme Court has all the powers to quickly apppoint impartial and empowered committees for fact finding by visiting the affected areas and on basis of their reports give judgement. Hats off to people like Amir Khan for joining this struggle for justice.Hope more such personalities who can sway masses and attract media attention join this struggle or with the end of Medha Patkar, curtains will fall forever on the era of Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave , JP and God only save our country and our culture in such eventuality.
The work on Narmada dam should not be stopped at all. People of Kutch and Saurashtra face have acute shortage of water. Even state like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajashthan also face problem electricity.
After all it is our country which is going to be benefitted by the dam. If states do not rehabilitate the affected people, even private trusts, charitable trusts, corporates,citizens of other parts of the country, NRIs etc can provide finance for speedy rehabilitation of the affected people.
Construction of dam and rehabilitation of affected people are two different issues. Because the affected people are not properly rehabilitated, the construction of dam should not be stopped.
We Indians have helped in rehabilitationof people after earthquakes in Maharashtra,Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir, after tsunami in Tamilnadu. If we can rehabilitate people after natural calamities which has done no good to the human being, why can't we rehabilitate Narmada Dam affected people.
It is virtually impossible for the Government to complete tyhe task of rehabilitation work.There is confusion on the total number of displaced persons. The rhabilitation under taken so far is totally unsatisfactory. One must understand it is now struggle between poor and the rich. The corporate and politiciatian want to complete the construction work. For them rehabilitation was never a priority.
There is no problem in dam height; but the solution to the villigers habilation programme must be announced quickly to stop growing exposer on the dam work. Govt. must quickly send message to stop any uneven incidence as stage is setting on ; who's going to win.
Narendra Modi's fast for 51 hours is a joke. That reminds me of relay hunger strikes where fasters pass on the baton after 6-8 hours.
Having said that, I want to know if there is an authentic source where one can get the FACTS about all the details about the project, in particular about the promise and status of the rehabilitation plan for the displaced people.
Though the SC has given an interim verdict It has indicated that the work on the Dam must go on to protect the interest of 4 states. I have every reason to believe that the SC Verdict will be in favour of increasing the height so that the affected 4 states do not suffer from draught. The Centre shd have thought about the rehabilitation of people affected and not allow itself to be dictated by certain mentally deranged persons like Ms Medha Patkar and others who are completely oblivious of the immense damage it will cause to the fae bigger populace in the 4 states. Will these pests be around at that time for the people of the 4 states? Iam convinced our progress on all fronts is being retardes by such prople like Patkar who sees red in all developmental projects. Can anyone tell how long this will go on? Is the Prime Minister listening?
