Noted social activist Medha Patkar on Monday threatened to launch a massive protest, if the state government failed to resolve the issues of the 40,000-odd families that are going to be affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP).
Ms Patkar said that the decision on the rehabilitation should be taken within 15 days and the state government should not fall prey to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s tactics. If the decision is not taken within the stipulated time, the Narmada Bachao Andolan will launch a protest in the state, she threatened.
“The Gujarat CM is trying to pressurise the Centre and other state governments by repeatedly claiming that the projected-affected people are against him and the SSP. The Maharashtra government must take a decision in the interest of the displaced tribals and not Mr Modi,” Ms Patkar said.
According to the NBA leader, thousands of families in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have been displaced because of the SSP, but none of these states are going to get a single drop of water from the dam. “Maharashtra will not get a drop of water from the SSP. Even Madhya Pradesh will not be benefited. Maharashtra was to get 27 per cent of the electricity generated from the project, but so far, not even one watt has been received,” Ms Patkar said.
She added that 40,000 families in Maharashtra and an equal number of families in MP would be affected by the project. “The state government has announced that 2,729 families out of the total 4,227 affected families have been rehabilitated. Of the remaining 1,498 families, 500 families have not received land, 500 families have received half of the promised land and 500 families are awaiting orders,” she said.
The social activist also demanded an audit of the entire process of land acquisition, rehabilitation and other issues.