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dam-l LS: Narmada Peasants Oppose WTO and Globalisation (fwd)
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From owner-irn-narmada@netvista.net Thu Dec 2 15:20:08 1999
From: owner-irn-narmada@netvista.net
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 11:10:08 -0800 (PST)
Message-Id: <199912021910.LAA01057@DaVinci.NetVista.net>
subject: LS: Narmada Peasants Oppose WTO and Globalisation
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NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda-390007. ( Ph.0265-382232)
Mumbai Contacts: Pervin- 2184779; Mahendra- 5574895, 4159259
Press note/ Dec.2, 1999
Impressive Rally in Anjad with Hundred Bullock Carts
NARMADA VALLEY PEASANTS OPPOSE WTO AND GLOBALISATION
Hundreds of men and women from the villages in the Narmada valley took out
a bullock cart rally as a mark of protest against the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) and the globalisation. The rally, organised by the
Youths of Narmada (Rewa ke yuwa) in Anjad ( M.P.) on Tuesday (Nov. 30)
reasserted its resolve to stop the Sardar Sarovar dam in the valley, as a
sign of the distorted development. The people particularly opposed the
adverse impacts of the so called globalisation and WTO on agriculture,
small industries and the rights of the people in India. The youths in the
valley vowed to resist the onslaught of the national-multinational capital
on their life and resources.
More than 100 bullock carts and other vehicles participated in this unique
rally. "The struggle in the Narmada valley has been always against the
multinationals and the World Bank also. These agencies are a part of the
exploitative systems and destructive development policies of this country,"
said Medha Patkar, while addressing the villagers. "Along with opposing
these forces, we have to critically examine our own society and lives.
There are an urbanised and higher and middle classes who form the market
for these neo-colonial forces. We have to see whether we have been giving a
free way to these capitalists due to our own choices and lifestyles," she
said.
The rally was organised by the peasants and youths under the banner of Rewa
ke Yuwa (Youths of Narmada) against the WTO, in view of the start of the
Seattle round of the negotiations. The youths made it a point to oppose the
Agreement on Agriculture as it would further ruin the peasants in India due
to the unequal terms of trade. Jagannath Patidar, Mansaram bhai and
Govindbhai Patidar narrated the outcome of the WTO and globalisation
processes. "As it is, the farmers have been exploited by the market and the
state. We do not get the remunerative prices for our produce. The
globalisation would further ruin us by bringing in the cheaper wheat,
oilseeds and other agricultural produces. The politics of import of palm
oil when it is not needed here reveals the danger in the WTO process. On
the other hand we have to pay higher rates of electricity and fertilisers
while our natural resources like land, water and forests are endangered by
the multinational companies. It would encourage the agricultural products
from the rich countries who can artificially scale down the price of their
agricultural products by giving direct income payments to their own
farmers. A handful of multinational companies control the food-grain trade
in the world. Thus, the food security of our people is jeopardised. Then
there are patent laws, the slashing down state role in health and
education, public transport all of which would hit the common man and only
those who can pay can avail of the necessities of life while the natural
resources would be snatched away from the communities."
Sergio Oceransky of People's Global Action (PGA) against WTO and Free Trade
explained the details of the 'multilateral agrement on investment' (MAI)
that the powerful countries would force in the Seattle round. The proposed
investment agreement would give unlimited powers to the MNCs over the
national governments, would force the changes in the labour and
environmental laws of the country. The governments would not be able to
restrict the MNCs while these companies can take the governments to the
courts if the latter puts any restrictions. The definition of the
'investment' is too vague and all encompassing, for the benefit of the
investors."
The rally at Anjad was attended by hundreds of people from adjoining
villages. The Narmada Bachao Andolan had declared its opposition to the WTO
and globalisation. The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), of
which NBA has been an active part, has declared that it would register a
nationwide protest against the Seattle round of WTO and the prospective
agreements on agriculture and MAI.
The people also reiterated their resolve to oppose the resumption of the
work on the Sardar Sarovar Project with all the strength. "If the work on
the dam beyond 88 meters commences without the hearing of all the issues
raised by the Andolan and without the review of the dam through the
constitution of a new tribunal with public hearing, the 'samarpit dal'
(dedicated squad) of the Narmada satyagrahis would opt for the jal samrpan
(sacrifice in water)", reminded Medha Patkar.
They also registered their opposition to the issuance of the notices of 95
meters in the M.P. villages. Jagannath Kaka said, "Government of M.P. has
opposed the increase in the height of the dam and demands a new tribunal to
go into the Narmada water dispute in the Supreme Court. But the officials
have been busy in pushing ahead the process of displacement by disbursing
cash compensation in violation of NWDT and now by issuing the 95 mts.
notices, when the people below hat have not been yet resettled and are
opposing the displacement." Dr. Sugan Baranth, who was the spirit behind
the programme alongwith the youth activists like Ashish Mandloi, Deepak and
others, also spoke on this ooccasion He cautioned the farmers agaisnt the
genetically manipulated seeds and the intellectual property rights, which
have been the outcome of the globalisation and WTO processes.
Incidentally, over 500 men and women from the Maheshwar Project affected
villages in the Narmada valley demonstrated in front of the German Embassy
in Delhi on November 30. They were protesting against the investment by
German MNCs and banks in the destructive project and German government's
support for these companies.
Sanjay Sangvai