RS witnesses noisy scenes over Narmada issue

New Delhi, May 23: The Rajya Sabha today witnessed noisy scenes during question hour over the issue of relief and resettlement measures in Narmada Dam affected areas in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, with some Opposition members disputing the government's claim in this regard.

When Water Resources Minister Saif-ud-Din Soz said all the rehabilitation measures were in place for raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam to 121.92 metres, Mr Tariq Anwar of the NCP, who had raised the question, said the government claim was at variance with the ground reality.

He said reports from the affected sites spoke of much that was left to be done to properly rehabilitate the oustees.

Mr Anwar wanted the report of the Review Comittee constituted to for appraisal of the resettlement measures to be placed in the House.

Soon other Opposition members joined in the issue. Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi said the US and some foreign elements were trying to scuttle the project by supporting the protestors.

''The Narmada project is held up at times for political reasons and at times by foreign elements,'' he said, and demanded that the government investigate the matter.

CPI-M Member Brinda Karat took a swipe at the government by saying that the country would not prosper by bulldozing the poor.

''The Minister's reply reflects the internal contradictions within the goverment,'' she said, alleging that the Minister was trying to mislead the House.

Ms Karat also pointed out that the constitution of the Shunglu Committee was itself was a pointer to the fact that rehabilitation of the affected families had not been done in a suitable manner.

The Minister said that if the resettlement work in MP was not carried out properly, the Shunglu Committee would furnish its recommendations before the Supreme Court.

Prof Soz also said he was not aware of any interference from the US or other foreign elements. ''It is basically the issue of the project affected poor people and adivasis, seeking proper rehabilitation which was their fundamental right.

''Development is important but the resettlement of the project affected people is equally important,'' he said.

The BJP members kept on shouting all through the proceedings, demanding that the issue needed a full length discussion and they be allowed to participate in it.

The Chair, however, ruled that the Opposition should claim that a half-an-hour discussion to be taken up in the next session of the House.

UNI