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DAM-L LS:MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AGREE THAT RESETTLEMENT IS (fwd)
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Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 10:11:14 -0700 (PDT)
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Subject: LS:MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AGREE THAT RESETTLEMENT IS
STILL DUE
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Narmada Bachao Andolan
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Prak, Baroda, Gujarat
Telefax: 0265-282232
Press note - August 16, 2001
MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AGREE THAT 90M AFFECTED FAMILIES
RESETTLEMENT IS STILL DUE IN FRONT OF NARMADA CONTROL AUTHORITY OFFICIALS
In the NCA commissioned field verification of resettlement of families from
submergence villages held at Domkhedi on 14th August 2001, the Maharashtra
Government officials agreed that the resettlement of hundreds of families
affected at the present height of the dam still remains to be done. That
there is no land at the established resettlement sites was also stated
forcing the Government to acquire private lands for the resettlement of
those already affected. The officials accepted that the lands that were
allotted to the families ex-parte (which the families have already
rejected) was uncultivable. In fact the officials stated that they knew
that the land was uncultivable even when the allotment was made.
More than 1000 people including representatives from all submergence
affected villages in Maharashtra from Manibeli to Bhadal, Gujarat villages
from Vadgam to Hapeshwar, M.P. villages from Jalsindhi to Kakrana and
Sondul Patti villages and Nimad. Representatives of those affected by the
Kewadia colony and those adivasis from Maharashtra affected by compensatory
afforestation and catchment area works. The public hearing was held in the
presence of senior advocates of Gujarat High Court, Shri Girishbhai Patel
and Shri Haroobhai Mehta (also Ex-Member of Parliament), seinor
scientist Dr.Jasbhai, Smt. Neela Ardikar, Shri. Alauddhin from Mandlik
Trust, Mumbai, Smt Indavi Tulpule from Shramik Sanghatana, Mumbai and over
hundred supporters from Delhi, Bangalore, Kerala, Pune, Mumbai and other
parts of the country.
In the day-long held public hearing representatives from all the
submergence villages presented the issue before the NCA and Maharashtra
Government officials. Most of those present in the hearing were 90m
affected adivasis and the truth was there for all to see that their
resettlement was yet to be done. While on one hand the Government claims,
on paper, that the resettlement is over on the other hand the Maharashtra
Government is calling the PAFs to inspect other private lands the
Government plans to acquire. This is evidence enough to prove that their
resettlement is due and also that the Government is using ex-parte as an
exercise to push the project forward irrespective of the people and denying
them their legally required resettlement.
The Government officials accepted that while there is no cultivable land
available in the 5 R&R sites established by Maharashtra in Taloda district,
the uncultivable land in the sites has been allotted ex-parte ! NBA
strongly condemned these violations and the agitated adivasis insisted that
the NCA take strong action against the Maharashtra Government. The
officials even accepted that the Government is now in the process of
acquiring private lands, which are now being offered to those PAFs who have
been claimed resettled on paper! However, even this land is yet to be
acquired and under such circumstances it is clearly proved that the
Government of Maharashtra has no land today. The issue of underestimation
of families have discussed and proven by the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
The hearing was initially scheduled to be held on the 13th in Bhitada, M.P.
and Domkhedi, Maharashtra. However on the 13th, the officials reached
Kakrana late due to various reasons. The NVDA were to make all arrangements
including travel by boat from Kakrana to Bhitada. This they didn't do. What
they did was to arrive late with about 60 policemen armed with automatic
rifles and the SDM Alirajpur Shri Mukesh Gupta and Resettlement Officer
Shri Bramhe. Here they said that the boat was under repair and hence the
NCA officials could not be taken ahead. They even refused to use the other
boats available there. NBA activists were forced to prevent the NVDA from
sabotaging the field visit and yet again hiding the true reality of
resettlement. Even today there are atleast 900 families in the 12 affected
villages of Alirajpur who are yet to be rehabilitated. The NVDA obviously
does not want the NCA To see this reality. NBA strongly condemns the
irresponsible attitude of the NVDA and the local administration, which too
can only be seen as a reflection of the State Government's callous approach
to resettlement.
On the 6th of August around 600-700 affected adivasis, farmers and peasants
from the Sardar Sarovar affected villages in the Narmada Valley gheraoed
the NCA officials in Indore. In the ensuing discussion over the next 7
hours the situation with regard to resettlement of those affected at the
present height of the dam and above was closely examined. At the end of the
discussion held on the road in front of the office before the people, the
NCA agreed to hold public meetings in the submergence villages to verify
the reality of resettlement. It is known that the three Governments have
stated that the resettlement of all PAFs upto 90m height of the dam has
been completed. NBA has submitted village-wise surveys to the Governments
and NCA showing atleast 3500 families, affected at 90m and still liivng in
the original villages without being resettled.
This field visit clearly proved the claims of the NBA that the resettlement
of families affected at 90m is still incomplete and the Governments have no
land to accommodate them. It also establishes that the Narmada Control
Authority needs to continue with this form of independent assessment of the
resettlement process, since the Governments seem to have reduced the entire
resettlement os affected families to a paper exercise through.
Clifton D'Rozario
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