Chouhan says vested interests working against his govt

Bhopal, Apr 17 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has alleged that ''vested interests'' were spreading misinformation regarding work being undertaken by his government for rehabilitating Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP)-affected families.

''The government has accelerated the rehabilitation process over the past two-and-a-half years. It was quite slow for a decade before that to ensure time-bound rehabilitation,'' he said, as per an official release issued here today.

Power to be received by this state from the SSP would boost agricultural production, he added.

Narmada Valley Development Authority vice-chairman and principal secretary Udai Verma informed that more than Rs 453 crore were disbursed as compensation for immovable property and grants to 24,421 families from 177 villages affected by raising the dam's height to 121.92 meter.

Of these, 5,456 families opted for Gujarat for resettling. As many as 75 rehabilitation sites were developed and another 11 are in the process.

''Camps will be organised soon for redressing affected families' grievances,'' Mr Verma said, according to the release.

UNI AC AK KN2245