Narmada dam: AAP against raising height

Narendra Modi-led NDA government should have taken into confidence all the parties and stakeholders, before pushing for any hasty decision that is certain to jeopardise the lives of lakhs of tribals, fishermen, workers, rural and other marginal classes in the valley, besides affecting the environment on a massive scale.

‘We demand the NCA (Narmada Control Authority) and Government of India to recall this decision and involve all stakeholders in a legal and democratic process, before taking any further steps,’ AAP said in a statement.

The Narmada Control Authority (NCA) gave its approval to Gujarat for raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam to 138.68 metres from the present 121.92 m on Thursday.

‘We convey our complete disagreement with the illegal decision of the NCA to raise the dam height in violation of the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Award, judgements of the apex court and numerous orders of the quasi-judicial GRA,’ the AAP statement said.

The party raised questions regarding the legal status of rehabilitation, environmental safety and protective measures, responsibility of various authorities to ensure that the law and judicial dicta is fully complied with.

The party also questioned the legality of the decision when investigation into the alleged irregularities in the mass land scam in Madhya Pradesh was on.

‘We also demand an explanation as to the legality of this decision, when a High Court appointed Judicial Commission of inquiry has been instituted to inquire into the mass land and livelihood scam in MP and is yet to submit its report to the Court.

‘The government of Gujarat should first be made accountable for the mammoth expenses already incurred on the dam and should be asked to complete the canal network in the state, prioritise the interests of farmers and stop all diversion of command area land and water to private companies and industries,’ the statement said.

AAP had fielded Narmada Bachao Andolan activists Medha Patkar and Alok Agarwal for the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, but they lost.