SC refuses to grant stay on Narmada dam construction

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) In a major setback to the Narmada Bachao Andolan, led by Medha Patkar, the Supreme Court today refused to grant stay against the ongoing construction work to raise the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam from 110 m to 121.92 m.

A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice S B Sinha while adjourning the hearing till July 7, said, ''We are not inclined to stop the construction at present.'' The court referring to the statement of Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam, appearing for the Centre, said the committee appointed by the Prime Minister under the chairmanship of former Comptroller and Auditor General V K Shunglu is likely to submit its report about the status of relief and rehabilitation measures by June 19.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to take a decision on or before June 30 on whether to stop the construction or allow it to continue.

The court, expressing hope that all concerned will cooperate with the new committee, said, ''We shall also be in a better position when the report of the new committee appointed by the Prime Minister is available in respect of the status of relief and rehabilitation measure taken by the state of Madhya Pradesh.'' The court also directed the government to place on record by July 6 he status report submitted by the committee headed by Mr Shunglu as well as the decision taken by the Prime Minister.

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