Committee to 'consider' NCA decision on the dam height : Soz

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz today said a review committee for the Narmada Control Authority (NCA), under his chairmanship, will meet soon to consider the decision taken by the NCA to raise the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam from 110.64 metres to 121.92 metres.

This follows representations that the rehabilitation of the people displaced by the project has not been satisfactory.

In a statement, Mr Soz, who heads the committee, assured that the government is committed to the rehabilitation package in letter and spirit keeping the directions of the Supreme Court on the issue.

He said he had received complaints and representations that rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar Dam had not been satisfactory and hence the clearance given by the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Sub-Group and Narmada Control Authority to raise the height of the Dam from 110.64 m to 121.92 was premature.

''My Ministry and myself are committed to ensure that the rehabilitation of the project affected families is ensured in letter and spirit and in consonance with orders of the Supreme Court of India on the subject,'' he said.

UNI MCN MA KN1744