BJP opposes any review of Narmada project

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) The BJP today expressed its reservations over the Government's decision to review the height of the Narmada Dam.

The party said that the issue regarding the height of the dam was decided by the Supreme Court and it was being implemented by the Narmada Control Authority.

Talking to newspersons, BJP spokesman Arun Jaitley said the Government should understand that the development and rehabilitation should co-exist and developmental work should not be halt merely following an agitation on the rehabilitation issue.

He said that all the three riparian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh were benefitted by the increase of the dam height to 121.92 m from 110.64 m. It helped Gujarat to solve the perennial drinking water problem.

But it " seemed that the Government, rattled by some agitation which was mainly for rehabilitation of thedam oustees, decided to review the height of the dam." While agreeing that rehabilitation of the dam oustees must be take care of, he said as per the Apex Court order to the Centre and governments of the concerned states, Grievances Redressal Authorities headed by HC (Retd) judges had been set up to look after rehabilitation and grievances of the people affected by the dam.

If anybody had failed to get redressal of grievances, he could always approach these authorities, he said.

Therefore it would not be in the interest of the people to lower the height of the dam, he added.

UNI KAS RP GC1845