MP politicising dam oustees' rehabilitation work: Ahmed Patel

New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) Mr Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, has shot off a missive to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi saying rehabilitation works for the Sardar Sarovar dam oustees in Madhya Pradesh were being politicised that could further delay its completion.

Pointing out that politicisation of rehabilitation works in Madhya Pradesh was not in the interest of anybody, Mr Patel, a Gujarat Rajya Sabha member, said, '' The people expect you would prevail upon your counterpart in Madhya Pradesh not to politicise the issue.'' He referred to the letter sent by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wherein she strongly disagreed with the report of the Group of Ministers, led by Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz, which visited Madhya Pradesh for an appraisal of rehabilitation works.

''I sincerely appeal to you to exert your influence over the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister to carry out the rehabilitation works on a war-footing before the onset of monsoon and before the issue comes up again for a review by the Supreme Court,'' he said.

Terming the Sardar Sarovar dam as the ''lifeline of Gujarat,'' Mr Patel said work on the dam had already been ''badly delayed'' and the state could not afford any further stoppage of work.

''I am sure as a citizen of Gujarat, if need be, you would not hesitate to do everything possible, including resorting to fast, to compel your party colleague in Madhya Pradesh to carry out the needed works in that state so that our lifeline is not threatened again,'' he said.

Pointing out that the dam would ensure water to the parched regions of the state, besides providing water for irrigation and power, Mr Patel, however, was emphatic that the need for rehabilitation of the families which would be affected in the upstream region of the project could not be ignored.

He further said the state had already suffered heavy losses due to cost overruns and been also denied the resultant benefits that would have accrued to the people had the project been completed as scheduled.

''As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, you are fully aware of what the state has been deprived for so long for no fault of it,'' said the letter.

Reminding Mr Modi that he is in a position to take up the cause of Gujarat, Mr Ahmed said coordination among all the four chief ministers concerned was very important.

''Rehabilitation works should be carried out most expeditiously and completed in due time to meet the directives of the Supreme Court, without any attempt to politicise the issue,'' said the letter.

UNI SKS YA GC2006